Relative says infant shot by 5-year-old brother recovering in hospital
Police said the children's dad left a loaded handgun unattended by the apartment window.
Police said the children's dad left a loaded handgun unattended by the apartment window.
Police said the children's dad left a loaded handgun unattended by the apartment window.
An unattended firearm caused a commotion inside an apartment on Sunset Avenue in Cincinnati's West Price Hill neighborhood Saturday night.
"Report of a shooting, stating a baby is shot, 1876 Sunset Ave.," said an emergency dispatcher as the incident unfolded.
First responders quickly realized who pulled the trigger.
"Additional information: reports saying it's going to be a 5-year-old that shot a 7-month-old," the dispatcher said.
The man who police say is responsible for the shooting incident, Martez Jones, was arraigned Monday.
Police said Jones admitted he left a loaded handgun next to a window while he went to the bathroom.
The 7-month-old girl was also in the room, along with her 4-year-old sister and 5-year-old brother.
When Jones came back, police said the 5-year-old had shot his youngest sister in the thigh.
"Martez, he is a good father," Jones' grandmother told Magistrate Melissa West during Jones' initial court appearance.
Other relatives were also in the courtroom, showing their support and sharing their views of what happened.
"He has his children every weekend. He spends time with his girls. This was just an unfortunate accident that happened while he had the children this weekend," Jones' grandmother said.
West gave Jones a bond totaling $4,500.
West also said a case worker with Hamilton County's Department of Job and Family Services will decide whether the 22-year-old UC Medical Center employee can be around his children while the case against him plays out in court.
"Stay away from the children abiding by the orders of JFS," West told Jones. "If they tell you that you can contact with the children, then certainly you may. As a condition of your bond, you may not possess any firearms."
Jones posted the necessary bond amount to get out of jail Monday afternoon. He is due back in court in two weeks.