A 4-year-old Augusta boy accidentally shot himself in the head after finding a gun laying around a residence packed with children Friday night at Norris Place Apartments, authorities said.
The child was rushed to Augusta University Medical Center in critical condition. His current condition was unavailable.
Charges are being filed against the teen who left the unsecured gun lying around the residence as well as his mother, 35-year-old Brittany Senita Ryans. She was allegedly in the kitchen when the 4 year old shot himself with the unsecured weapon around 11 p.m. Friday, authorities said.
Brittany Ryans was being held Monday night in the Charles B. Webster Detention Center on five charges of cruelty to children in the second degree. Her co-defendant is listed as 19-year-old Ladarion Ryans, who has not yet been charged, according to jail records.
Several other children, ages 9-15, were present either in the kitchen or living room at the apartment, also known as The Vista @1931, located at 1931 Murphy Road in Augusta. The other children began screaming and running to Brittany Ryans after the gunfire, authorities said.
Ladarion is wanted for the same five counts of child cruelty. Authorities say Ladarion Ryans should be considered ARMED and DANGEROUS. Anyone that encounters Ladarion Ryans or has information on his location is asked to contact Inv. Ananias Reese or any Violent Crimes Investigator with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office at 706-821-1080 or 706-821-1020.
Check back here for more details on this developing story.
