What kind of dingbat gives their baby a gun and then films them acting unsafely with it? (Photo: Vanderburgh County Jail)
Michael Barns and Toni Wilson videoed their terrible decision, providing detectives with irrefutable proof of their wanton disregard for their child’s safety.
In the video, the child can be seen wrapping his finger around the trigger and putting the gun his mouth. The toddler also holds the gun out and pretends to shoot it.
Being a parent is difficult and most mistakes are forgivable, even tragic ones. But when both parents think it’s a good idea to arm their child with a firearm, loaded or otherwise, there can be no grace, and the judge felt the same way.
Barnes was sentenced to 15 months in prison after pleading guilty to charges of neglect of a dependent and criminal recklessness. His girlfriend, Toni, was also arrested but has yet to be arraigned.
(The following was a submission by freelance writer Brent Rogers)
Were the guns empty? If not then no harm, it’s just a hunk of metal. If so, then yes, prosecution is warranted.
Whether it was empty was not mentioned. If it were mentioned then the parents should be freed due to denial of sufficient legal defense.
Indiana. Evansville is in Indiana.