Cesar E. Chavez Elementary SchoolTwo individuals were accused when a 7-year-old carried an unloaded pistol to Cesar E. Chavez Elementary School in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker announced the accusations during a press conference. The May 3 incident sparked safety worries for elementary school youngsters.

The mother, Aubrey Wilson, is charged with misdemeanor fourth-degree child abuse. Chelsea Berkley, the child’s mother’s fiancée, is charged with felony firearm possession.

According to a Grand Rapids news statement, Berkley is in detention on unrelated charges. The prosecution said one person carried the pistol inside the home, while the other placed it in a position the youngster could reach and took it to school.

This is the latest example of elementary school children carrying guns. In January, a 6-year-old in Newport News, Virginia, brought a pistol to school and shot a teacher.

To protect youngsters, Police Chief Eric Winstrom stressed the need to remove illicit firearms. He also urged adults to lock up legally owned weapons to keep youngsters from getting them.

Two gun instances involving young children in a week surprised the police chief. In his 23 years of expertise, he had never seen such a circumstance and was profoundly concerned.

The tragedy refocused attention on gun safety and neighborhood kid protection. Wilson and Berkley may have lawyers.