1-year-old boy shoots himself in his mother’s home; Mother, girlfriend formally charged

HARRISON TWP. — A Harrison Twp. mother and her girlfriend are facing charges after a 22-month-old shot himself last week.

Rashaunda Rogers, 24, and Dariale Brazzell, 23, were indicted by a Montgomery County grand jury Thursday on charges stemming from the shooting. Rogers faces single counts of endangering children, tampering with evidence, and having weapons while under disability. Brazzell was indicted on one count of obstructing justice.

>> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 1-year-old boy shoots himself in his mother’s home; 911 callers tried to tell different story

As News Center 7 previously reported, medics were called to the Creekside Apartment Complex in the 1900 block of Republic Drive on Feb. 11 on reports of an injured 1-year-old child.

“I don’t know, I was asleep and I guess he fell and hit his head on the corner of the dresser and his head is leaking bad,” a 911 caller told dispatchers.

The child was taken to Dayton Children’s Hospital. While at the hospital, Montgomery County sheriff’s deputies were called to the hospital on a report of suspected child abuse.

When they arrived, medical personnel reported that the 22-month-old son of Rogers had significant head injuries. Rogers had told medical personnel that the child had possibly fallen and hit his head on a TV stand, but the injuries were not consistent with that explanation.

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An investigation determined that Rogers kept a loaded semi-automatic handgun in an unsecured location and the child had found it and accidentally shot himself above his left eye.

As we reported on News Center 7 at 5:00, Prosecutor Mat Heck Jr. showed News Center 7′s Mike Campbell graphic photos of the little boy’s wounds.

“There’s no excuse for not locking up guns and keeping guns safe,” Heck said.

Heck went on to say those who can’t find a gun lock should contact his office for one.

Both Rogers and Brazzell are in the Montgomery County Jail. Rogers is being held on a $100,000 bond and Brazzell on a $25,000 bond. Both are to be in court next on Feb. 27.

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