12-year-old shot in face while cleaning house with siblings, family says

DAYTON, Ohio (WHIO) - A 12-year-old Ohio boy is recovering after he was shot in the face while he and his siblings were cleaning the house. His grandmother believes it was his younger brother who accidentally pulled the trigger.

Tawana James says she got one of the worst phone calls in her life Monday afternoon when she heard her 12-year-old grandson had been shot and was bleeding badly.

“They were cleaning up the house for their mom for her birthday… because she’s been in the hospital. We dropped them off,” James said.

James says there were four young men and boys in the house when someone discovered a gun belonging to the children’s mother. She believes an 11-year-old boy accidentally shot his brother.

“So, nobody would think this would come. I mean, she [the children’s mother] does have her gun license, but nobody would think this would happen. It’s too much going on,” James said.

Paramedics rushed the 12-year-old to the hospital. Police say he is expected to survive his injuries, despite being shot in the face.

“Basically, he’s... stable. The bullet did exit. Basically, it wasn’t the head. It was the jaw,” James said.

Police confirmed a suspect was in custody but did not provide further details about them.

It’s unclear if the children’s mother will face any charges in the case.

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