Photo: Ilja Enger-Tsizikov / iStock / Getty Images
A Miami-Dade Schools police officer is facing charges after her 3-year-old son shot himself with her gun.
Homestead Police Captain Fernando Morales says Stephanie Jerez was preparing food when her son got a hold of her personal gun not her service revolver.
Jerez is charged with child neglect with great bodily harm for leaving the gun unattended.
Morales says as a school board police officer Jerez should have known to secure any weapons in the vicinity of a child.
"The Homestead Police Department takes cases involving child endangerment very seriously, and we are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all children in our community.
Morales also urges all gun owners to "securely store firearms and to educate themselves and their families about gun safety."
Capt. Morales says she has been relieved of duty from the school police department pending the outcome of the case.
She paid her $5000 bond and is expected to be released this afternoon.
The child was airlifted to the hospital and is in stable condition.