Indiana mom was told her toddler couldn’t play with a motorized toy. Then she allegedly pulled a gun and showed her child how to use it

A routine trip to a children’s resale boutique took a dangerous turn in Marion County, Indiana. Tamya Staten, a 21-year-old mother, faces serious felony charges after allegedly pulling a firearm on employees at a local establishment.

The hostile confrontation reportedly stemmed from a simple disagreement over the store’s toy policies before escalating into a situation that could leave the young mother facing years in prison.

According to the National Enquirer, the confrontation took place in July 2026 at a “Once Upon a Child” store, a popular franchise that specializes in buying and selling used children’s clothing and other goods. According to investigators and store personnel, Staten entered the business with her toddler to complete a clothing sale.

Her semi-automatic handgun was tucked into the waistband of her leggings

While the transaction was being processed, store workers noticed Staten’s toddler playing with a motorized car toy that was on display. Following standard store policy, an employee approached Staten and told her that children were not permitted to play with the merchandise. Although Staten acknowledged the warning, she allegedly made no effort to stop her child from riding the toy.

When the employee intervened a second time to reiterate the store’s safety and inventory rules, Staten’s demeanor reportedly changed. Witnesses said she reached into her purse, pulled out a black semi-automatic handgun and tucked it visibly into the waistband of her leggings.

The situation then got worse when Staten allegedly moved toward the store employees. According to court records, she began poking one employee in the face with her finger while making threats about opening fire inside the business.

Store surveillance footage and witness accounts reportedly captured her shouting, “We can fight about it. We get down,” followed by the statement, “I can use this (gun).”

Staten then reportedly pulled the weapon out completely and pointed it at the store workers. In an unusual turn of events, she allegedly continued encouraging her toddler to play with the restricted motorized car while she was holding the firearm. Reports indicate that she even demonstrated to the toddler how to operate the toy vehicle while still holding the gun.

Staten eventually left the store before law enforcement arrived. However, she allegedly left investigators with enough information to identify her. Investigators were able to identify Staten using the state-issued identification card she had provided to employees during the clothing transaction, along with security footage that captured her vehicle’s license plate.

She could face up to 8.5 years

On Monday, Sept. 28, 2026, prosecutors in Marion County officially filed criminal charges against Staten. She is facing a Level 5 felony count of intimidation with a deadly weapon and a Level 6 felony count of pointing a firearm at another person.

Under Indiana’s criminal code, convictions on both charges can carry significant prison terms. If found guilty on both counts, Staten could face a maximum aggregate sentence of up to 8.5 years in state prison. Police have issued an arrest warrant following the court filing, and local law enforcement is working to take Staten into custody as the case moves forward.