Both parents of a toddler who was found with a loaded handgun at a Canton daycare are expected to face charges, police said.
The parents are scheduled to appear for arraignment Thursday, Oct. 1 before Judge Joe Barone in Plymouth’s 35th District Court, Canton Township police said in a statement.
Police have not yet identified the parents, but have said the father is a police officer in a neighboring community.
Canton police said officers were called Sept. 28 to Children’s World’s Early Learning Center, 7437 Sheldon Road, after staff discovered the toddler had the weapon in a backpack.
Police Chief Joseph Bialy said daycare staff found the gun holstered, took it from the child and called police.
Children’s World said it is immediately adding new safety
measures, including backpack checks, following the incident. The child is no longer enrolled at the center, staff said.
“At Children’s World, there is nothing we take more seriously than the safety, security and well-being of the children entrusted to our care,” the center said in a statement. “We understand the concerns this event has caused our families, and as educators and parents ourselves, we fully share those feelings.”
The center praised its teachers for their response and said it is cooperating with police.
“We are proud of the immediate response our teachers took to ensure the safety of our children and are grateful that nobody was harmed,” the statement said. “We remain committed to ensuring our center is a safe haven for every child and family we serve.”
Contact reporter Laura Colvin: lcolvin@hometownlife.com
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Both parents to face charges after toddler brings loaded gun to daycare
