The parents of a deceased 5-year-old boy will face criminal charges in his death.
Timithy Gravel, 32, and Heather LeBlanc, 29, were ordered to stand trial on charges of violating safe gun storage laws during a court appearance last week.
The charges stem from a police response to a call from Corewell Wayne Hospital at about 8:40 p.m. Nov. 7 reporting a 5-year-old shooting victim. A police investigation subsequently determined that the 5-year-old son of the couple had access to an unsecured firearm inside their home and accidentally shot and killed himself with the weapon.
The parents will appear for a hearing in Wayne County Third Circuit Court today following a hearing in 18th District Court in Westland. Judge Mark McConnell bound the pair over for trial following the waiver of a preliminary court examination on the charges.
LeBlanc’s defense attorney Nijad Mehanna said it is a tragic situation. “Everybody is overwhelmed and sad about what transpired. Mom is heartbroken.”
Each of the defendants is charged with one count of violating the Michigan safe storage firearms law, causing death. The charge is a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
McConnell granted a $25,000 personal bond to LeBlanc while Gravel was ordered to obtain a $50,000 bond. Both will be confined to their home and required to wear a GPS tether if released from the Wayne County Jail.
Police sources confirmed that the investigation found the shooting occurred inside the home on the 33000 block of Alamo Court and “the gunshot was self-inflicted after the child was able to access an unsecured firearm inside the home.”
