Florida

Florida Woman Arrested After 3-Year-Old Fires Gun Outside School

A central Florida woman has been arrested after a 3-year-old boy fired a gun in a car outside a school, authorities said.

Abbie Maldonado, 30, was arrested Monday on a felony charge of child neglect after the incident at Good Shepherd Academy in Deltona, Volusia County Sheriff's Office officials said.

Authorities said Maldonado had the 3-year-old child with her when she drove to the school to pick up her son. She got out to walk and left the boy unsecured in the back with the door propped open so she could keep an eye on the toddler, officials said.

Maldonado said she was walking in the parking lot with some other parents when she heard a loud bang, but didn't realize it was a gunshot. She went to check on the child then took the boy into the school to use the bathroom, not realizing anything was wrong, officials said.

When she returned to her car, she heard the sound of glass crackling and realized the driver's side window was shattered, official said. She also noticed her loaded gun was on the front seat instead of in the driver's side door pocket where she had left it, officials said.

After checking the boy for injuries, she went into the school and reported the incident. Deputies arrived and arrested Maldonado, who said she usually keeps the gun locked in the trunk.

Maldonado's boyfriend responded to the scene to pick up the children, while Maldonado was booked into jail. Attorney information wasn't available.

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