Babysitter Leaves Loaded Gun on Kitchen Counter, 3-Year-Old Minnesota Boy Shoots Himself to Death While He Uses Bathroom
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA — A heartbreaking gun safety failure turned fatal after a 3-year-old boy shot himself while under the care of a babysitter who failed to properly secure a firearm, authorities said.
Child Found With Fatal Gunshot Wound Inside Home
The incident happened on October 21, 2024, while Elliot Staples III, 31, was babysitting JaJuan Robinson Jr., according to court records. Investigators said Staples was carrying a handgun in a holster on his hip when he went to use the bathroom. Before leaving the room, he removed the gun and placed it on the center of a kitchen island, believing the toddler could not reach it.
Moments later, Staples told police he heard a gunshot.
When he rushed back, he found JaJuan bleeding from a gunshot wound to the head. The child was transported to a hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead.
Gun Was Usually Stored Elsewhere, Police Say
According to a probable cause affidavit, Staples admitted that he normally places the firearm on top of the refrigerator, out of reach of children. He told investigators he did not do so this time because he felt “rushed.”
That decision proved fatal.
Police said the boy likely believed the firearm was a toy.
Babysitter Avoids Prison Time but Faces Jail and Probation
Staples later pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter. On Wednesday, a judge sentenced him to:
- 180 days in jail, beginning March 3
- Five years of probation
- Approximately $7,500 in restitution
If Staples violates probation, he could face up to four years in prison, the court ruled.
Mother Speaks Out After Losing Her Son
JaJuan’s mother, Charlotte Williams, was at work when her son died. She expressed devastation and disbelief after learning how the shooting occurred.
“For him to get a hold of a gun, how?” Williams told local media. “He thought it was a toy. My baby accidentally shot himself in the head.”
Family members described JaJuan as a joyful child with big dreams.
Family Remembers a Playful, Loving Toddler
In a GoFundMe created for funeral expenses, JaJuan’s aunt remembered him as:
- Silly, energetic, and always playful
- A lover of Spider-Man and dinosaurs
- A child who dreamed of becoming a construction worker because he loved excavators
His family says his loss has left an unfillable void.
A Deadly Reminder About Gun Storage Around Children
Authorities say the case underscores the dangers of improper firearm storage, especially around young children who cannot understand the risks.
Even brief lapses can have irreversible consequences.
What are your thoughts on this sentencing and gun safety responsibilities around children? Share your perspective and stay with CabarrusWeekly.com for more real-world stories that impact families and communities across the country.
