A 2-year-old boy remains in critical condition a day after his 4-year-old cousin accidentally shot him on Thanksgiving, police said.
The child was only identified initially as an Hispanic male. He was found on the first floor of a row house in the 3500 block of North Ninth Street about 4:30 p.m., police said.
Police said he was taken to Temple Hospital by police then transferred to St. Christopher's Hospital after suffering gunshot wounds to the upper chest and right ring finger. The toddler is listed in critical, but stable condition.
The boy's mother, Rachel Santiago, 34, has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child and related offenses. His father, Omar Laboy-Vega, 34, has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child, unlawful possession of a firearm, and related offenses.
Santiago's bail was set at $100,000 while Laboy-Vega's was set at $300,000. Both are awaiting arraignment set for Dec. 7 at 9 a.m.
Laboy-Vega's attorney is listed as a Public Defender, but there is no attorney listed for Santiago.
Police said the family was preparing Thanksgiving dinner when the shooting happened. A neighbor, Sonia Pizarro, told NBC10 on Friday she heard Laboy-Vega screaming "save my baby, my baby" after the gun went off.
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Police initially described the boy's wound as "self-inflicted," but a supervisor on the scene later said another child, a 4-year-old cousin, shot the boy.
"So this child, being just 2 years of age, being struck with first of all any bullet, but with a large caliber like a .40-caliber bullet at close range, is devastating," Chief Inspector Scott Small said.
Two handguns were recovered at the house.
