CANTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – A toddler was found with a loaded firearm Monday morning inside Childrens World Early Learning Center in Canton, prompting a police investigation and the arrest of one parent, according to Canton Police Chief Joseph Bialy.
The Canton Police Department said officers responded to the daycare center after receiving a report that a toddler had been found in possession of a loaded firearm inside the facility.
The case is under investigation by the Canton Police Department’s Detective Bureau and will be forwarded to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office for review when the investigation is complete.
Bialy said a parent of the child has been arrested.
He said the child’s other parent is a police officer in a neighboring jurisdiction and that the officer’s department is conducting an internal investigation.
According to a message from the school that was sent to parents, the firearm was in a holster inside the child’s backpack.
When the child removed the weapon, a teacher intervened and secured it, according to the message.
“The protocols that they had in place, the fact that they had an instructor in the room that was able to safely remove the firearm from this toddler, I do believe kept everybody safe and avoided a tragedy,” Bialy said.
Children’s World Early Learning Center said in a statement that the incident was unfortunate and that no one was hurt.
In its message to families, the center said all safety measures were followed and that the family involved was disenrolled.
“We pride ourselves on being one of the safest centers in the Canton area. It is our priority,” Children’s World management said. “Although this incident was out of our control, we are very proud of our staff and especially the teacher who responded so quickly.”
The center said it has added safety measures, including searching bags.
“We have to understand where our firearms are, and we have a duty to make sure that we keep them secure,” Bialy said. “The law is very clear. If a child is present or you anticipate a child being present, you have to take those precautions.”
Police said the investigation is still active. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Canton Police Department.
