Ohio woman accused of deliberately shooting her infant grandchild in the face
12/11/2023 12:05 pm PST
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP, Ohio (TCD) -- A 43-year-old grandmother faces charges after allegedly shooting her infant grandchild in the head at close range over the weekend.
According to a news release from the Butler County Sheriff’s Office, on Saturday, Dec. 9, shortly before 2 a.m., deputies responded to 6835 Dutch View Court in reference to a shooting involving an infant. At the scene, deputies observed a 6-month-old victim with a gunshot wound to the head and transported the baby to a hospital in critical condition.
A witness identified the victim’s grandmother Mia Harris as the shooter. According to the sheriff’s office, Harris had fled the scene before deputies arrived on scene. Authorities found her shortly after and took her into custody without incident.
Further investigation revealed Harris allegedly shot at other family members before shooting her grandchild.
According to court records obtained by WXIX-TV, during an argument with other relatives, Harris "knowingly caused serious physical harm" to the baby "by breaking down a locked bedroom door after firing a handgun through it multiple times."
Harris reportedly tried to shoot the victim’s mother in the head but missed. She then allegedly shot the baby in one eye as the victim was lying on the bed. Harris also reportedly punched another person in the face.
Deputies booked Harris into the Butler County Jail on three counts of felonious assault. The sheriff’s office noted that her "charges are subject to change as the investigation continues."
As of Saturday, Dec. 9, the child remains in critical condition and reportedly underwent two surgeries.
Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones told WXIX it was "one of the most disgusting, vile criminal acts I’ve ever seen, shooting a 6-month-old baby. What makes it even worse is this is the baby’s grandmother."
Jones added, "The baby is hanging on to life as we speak."
According to WXIX, Harris remains held on $1.5 million bond.
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