Man pleads guilty to child abuse charges in toddlers' shooting at Dearborn home daycare

Toddler shot two other children with gun found at home

Samantha Eubanks and Timothy Eubanks, both 32, of Dearborn, at their arraignment on Thursday, November 2, 2017. (WDIV)

DEARBORN, Mich. – Timothy Eubanks pleaded guilty Monday to six counts of second-degree child abuse in connection with the shooting of two 3-year-old children at an unlicensed daycare in Dearborn.

Eubanks and his wife, Samantha Eubanks, both were charged after the toddler was shot Sept. 27, 2017 at their home on Harding Street. The Dearborn Police Department said the toddler found the weapon inside the house and fired it. Prosecutors say the shooter was the Eubanks' 3-year-old son.

Recommended Videos



Samantha Eubanks was charged with 12 counts of second-degree child abuse and two counts of felony firearms violations. She is scheduled for trial on July 16.

Prosecutors allege the Eubanks' knowingly left two handguns unsecured in an upstairs bedroom while running an unlicensed daycare. At the time of the shooting, Samantha Eubanks was watching six children: three 3-year-olds, two 1-year-olds and a 4-month-old.

The Eubanks' three older children were at school at the time of the shooting. All of their six children were removed from the home and placed with relatives.

Timothy Eubanks will be sentenced July 10. 

Chief says toddlers will need long-term care

In November, Dearborn Police Chief Ronald Haddad said the two toddlers injured in the shooting were at home recovering, but would require long-term care.

"Both toddlers are recovering. They'll have long-term care required," Haddad said during a news conference Nov. 2. "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.