A toddler brought a loaded Glock pistol into a classroom at the Children’s World Early Learning Center in Canton, Michigan, on Monday morning. A daycare worker spotted the firearm and intervened immediately, preventing a potentially deadly situation, WXYZ reported.
Police Chief Joseph Bialy praised the staff member for the quick response. “That teacher — once recognized that a firearm was in the classroom — took immediate action,” Bialy said. The firearm was still inside a holster when the toddler brought it into the classroom. Because the trigger and trigger guard were completely covered, and the teacher acted so quickly, no one was hurt. The incident was captured on surveillance camera footage.
The mother of the toddler, who works as a nurse, has been arrested in connection with the incident. She could face formal charges as early as Wednesday. The potential misdemeanor charge carries a penalty of up to 93 days in jail or a fine of up to $500. It is currently unclear how long the child had access to the weapon, but the toddler is now staying with relatives.
New details have emerged regarding the child’s father, who is an officer with the Detroit Police Department
While the father is not expected to face charges himself, the situation has prompted further scrutiny. Canton police have reached out to the internal affairs division of the Detroit Police Department to ensure a thorough review. “We also reached out to the department’s internal affairs division; they’re going to handle a separate investigation which will run concurrent with our criminal investigation,” Bialy said. The Detroit Police Department is not providing comments on the case at this time.
This event is part of a concerning trend of unsecured firearms being accessible to children. Earlier this month, a tragic case in Pontiac resulted in the death of a 3-year-old boy after he found an unsecured firearm. These incidents have led to increased efforts by local officials to promote safe storage practices.
In May, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy launched a campaign to urge gun owners to keep their weapons out of the hands of children. During that campaign, Worthy noted, “Thirty-nine cases of death or injury in Wayne County since 2020 because a young person found an unsecured firearm in their home.”
Even with the best intentions, the consequences of leaving a firearm within reach of a child can be catastrophic. As Bialy noted regarding the broader issue, “The takeaway and the message here is no matter how busy our lives are, we have a greater responsibility if we’re going to choose to own a firearm to make sure that it’s safe.”
The investigation into the events of September 30, 2026, remains ongoing as authorities determine the next steps for the mother involved.
Published: Sep 30, 2026 04:36 pm