Watch CBS News

Woman Arrested After 3-Year-Old Shoots 2-Year-Old Brother

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4)- A woman has been arrested after a 3-year-old shot and critically injured his 2-year-old brother.

"They wanted to play cops and robbers," said the brothers' 14-year-old sister, who did not want to be identified. "It was pretty traumatic."

Police in Colorado Springs arrested the boys' mother, Monica Abeyta, 30, on suspicion of felony child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury. The sister says the gun belongs to their mother.

Monica Abeyta (arrested, Colo Sprgs Toddler Shot, from CSPD)
Monica Abeyta (credit: Colorado Springs Police)

Officers rushed to the 4300 block of Driftwood Drive at 1:30 p.m. Saturday to investigate the shooting.

The boys' older sister talked about what the police told her about the shooting.

"They said that it was in her purse and that he got it out of there," she said. "You (would) think that mother would have the instinct to take care of her child. I guess she just doesn't have that."

CSPRGS TODDLER SHOT_frame_141
(credit: CBS)

Police believe the 3 year old was in the home and got a hold of a gun and was playing with it when it discharged, injuring the 2 year old.

"I just don't want people to put a bad look on her because of what happened," neighbor to the family Alazia Gray said. "Because that's not the type of parent she is. She is a very, very loving parent. Her kids are very, very well taken care of."

CSPRGS TODDLER SHOT_frame_324
(credit: CBS)

The young child's condition was first listed as critical and later upgraded to serious. Neither boy's name was released.

CSPRGS TODDLER SHOT_frame_748
(credit: CBS)
View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.