Inset: Jacob Grayson (Delaware County Jail). Background: The 2800 block of South Monroe Street in Muncie, Indiana, where Grayson’s 6-year-old son accidentally shot his 5-year-old sister to death (WXIN).
An Indiana jury has convicted a 32-year-old father after his 6-year-old son removed a gun from a safe whose key had been left in the lock and accidentally fatally shot his 5-year-old sister.
Jacob Grayson was found guilty of neglect of a dependent resulting in the death of Crystal Rose Grayson in Muncie, the Delaware County Prosecutor’s Office said. He was also convicted on three lesser counts of child neglect. Grayson could receive more than 40 years in prison when he is sentenced Nov. 12.
“The facts of this case and the utter disregard for the safety of these young children make me want to puke,” Prosecutor Eric Hoffman said in a statement. “This 5-year-old child should have never had access to a firearm. Every parent has an absolute affirmative duty to protect their child. Jacob Grayson and his wife Kimberly miserably failed at this very basic parental duty.”
Kimberly Grayson was convicted of the same charges in March. Her sentencing has been postponed amid competency concerns, according to local Fox affiliate WXIN.
A probable cause affidavit obtained by the outlet says Muncie police were called to the home in the 2800 block of South Monroe Street on July 26, 2022, after a shooting was reported.
Officers arrived to find Crystal suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. Emergency medical personnel took her to a hospital, where she later died.
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The 6-year-old told investigators that he discovered the firearm inside a safe in his parents’ bedroom dresser while his mother was napping. Because the key remained in the lock, he turned it and opened the safe. He picked up the gun and was playing with it when it discharged, striking his sister.
Jacob Grayson told police that his son had previously found the firearm. Instead of moving it somewhere the child could not access it, Grayson moved the gun to the opposite side of the dresser.
Police described the residence as “deplorable,” citing trash and animal feces throughout the home. The children’s mattresses were soiled and lacked bedding.
Crystal was remembered as a “typical 5-year-old, with an energetic spirt and an infectious smile.”
“Crystal loved to watch cartoons, with her absolute favorite being Olaf from the movie ‘Frozen,’” her obituary said. “She touched so many people in the short time she was on this earth.”
The post Father merely moved gun across dresser when son found it before, leaving key in safe until 6-year-old unlocked it and killed sister first appeared on Law & Crime.