Dearborn police chief: Toddlers shot by other child at in-home daycare require long-term care

Adults charged after 3-year-old boy shoots toddlers inside home

DEARBORN, Mich. – Dearborn Police Chief Ronald Haddad said two toddlers shot by another child in September at an unlicensed daycare are recovering at home now. 

However, Haddad said the children will need long-term care. 

"Both toddlers are recovering. They'll have long-term care required," Haddad said during a news conference Thursday morning. "I've been told that they're both at home at this time. This remains a complete tragedy for our entire community."

Haddad confirmed one of the children was shot in the hip. 

Charges were announced Wednesday against a couple in connection with the shooting. Timothy Eubanks, 32, and his wife, Samantha Eubanks, also 32, both of Dearborn, face several charges. Timothy faces six counts of second-degree child abuse. Samantha Eubanks was charged with 12 counts of second-degree child abuse and two counts of felony firearms violations.

They are scheduled to be arraigned Thursday afternoon. 

Two young children were shot by a 3-year-old boy Sept. 27 at the couple's home in the 3600 block of Harding Street on Dearborn's west side. The Dearborn Police Department confirmed it was a toddler who found the weapon inside the house and fired it off. Prosecutors say the shooter was the Eubanks' 3-year-old son.

Haddad said he remains troubled by this shooting. 

"The fact that a minor -- a toddler -- could pick up a gun ... and apparently knew how to fire that weapon is very troubling to me. The fact that the weapon was in proximity where someone very small could get it is totally unacceptable," the chief said. "Gun safety across America is a grave concern for me given the number of guns and the number of accidental deaths that occur every day. I think we have to be a more accountable nation when it comes to gun safety."