DSS investigating 4-year-old's gun incident
The child care regulatory division of the Department of Social Services is investigating an incident in which a 4-year-old boy accidentally shot himself, a spokeswoman for the state agency said.
Greenville police charged Lydia L. Riley, 40, with unlawful neglect of a child after the boy shot himself while she babysat him, according to an arrest warrant. DSS could not provide any additional details, spokeswoman Marilyn Matheus said.
The boy shot himself in the hand with a pistol on the afternoon of Aug. 1 at Riley's home on Hillside Circle, the Police Department said. She was outside getting groceries from her vehicle when the child shot himself, according to an arrest warrant.
Two other children ages 8 and 6 were present when the accidental shooting happened, Officer Gilberto Franco said. She was paid to babysit the children and was not related to any of them, police said. She was not operating as a daycare, Franco said.
Riley's 19-year-old son left the pistol on the kitchen table the previous night, police said. He is not expected to face any charges.
It is illegal for persons under the age of 21 to purchase a gun, authorities said, but it is legal for those individuals to possess one in their home.