Parents Charged After Toddler Brings Loaded Gun to Daycare

A 3-year-old's backpack contents have landed his parents in court and his police officer father off the street. Authorities say the child brought a loaded, holstered handgun into Children's World Early Learning Center in Canton, a Detroit suburb, on Monday, took it out, and passed it to classmates before a teacher quickly intervened, WDIV reports. The boy's father, Detroit police officer Brandon John Ely, 28, has been charged with fourth-degree child abuse. Authorities say the gun belonged to the boy's mother, Rabab Ibrahim Al Zayad, 27, who faces an unsafe storage charge.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy called the case "very unsettling" and said she was thankful no one was harmed. Ely has been moved to administrative duty as Detroit police review the incident. Ely and Al Zayad appeared in court Thursday, where they were granted $10,000 personal bonds, WXYZ reports. Under bond conditions, they are banned from possessing firearms while the case is ongoing.

• Ely surrendered his nine firearms after the arraignment. Judge Joe Barone declined a request from a defense lawyer to make an exception for the officer's service weapon. "Given the nature of the allegations and the nature of the offense, I think it's appropriate at this time that both not have or possess any firearms," the judge said.

The judge banned both parents from setting foot on the property of the daycare. Children's World said the family, which had one other child at the daycare, has been disenrolled "as an obligation to maintain the safety and security of all children and staff." "We pride ourselves on being one of the safest centers in the Canton area. It is our priority," Children's World said. "Although this incident was out of our control, we are very proud of our staff and especially the teacher who responded so quickly."

• Canton Police Chief Joseph Bialy said the case should serve as a reminder to parents, the Detroit Free Press reports. "We all understand the responsibilities that come along with raising children and being working parents," he said. "However, the state of Michigan and the laws are very clear when it comes to the safe, secure storage of firearms. No matter how busy we get and no matter how occupied we are, we have to make sure that if we make the choice to possess a firearm, we're responsible on the handling of storage of that firearm."