ROYAL OAK, MICHIGAN — A Detroit-area mother is facing criminal charges after allegedly leaving a loaded handgun inside her 3-year-old child’s backpack — a bag meant to carry snacks for daycare. The discovery, made by a daycare employee, avoided what prosecutors say could have easily turned into a tragedy.
The Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office announced charges on June 4 against Kelly Reid, 34, for reckless use of a firearm, a misdemeanor offense under Michigan law punishable by up to 90 days in jail and/or a $500 fine. Reid may also face suspension of hunting privileges.
The incident occurred on May 14 when Reid dropped off her toddler at a daycare facility in Royal Oak, a suburb just north of Detroit. Prosecutors say Reid had placed the firearm in the backpack for transport to her vehicle but forgot to remove it before handing off her child to daycare staff.
The name of the daycare center has not been released publicly, but authorities confirmed that staff acted swiftly after discovering the weapon.
“A loaded gun needs to be secured. Failing to do so around small children is absolutely reckless,” said Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald. “The employee who found the gun should be commended for quickly securing it and contacting police.”
Reid has not commented publicly, and no attorney has yet been listed in court filings.
A Prevented Tragedy and a Growing National Pattern
Prosecutor McDonald emphasized how close the situation came to disaster.
“I’m grateful this is a story about a misdemeanor charge instead of a tragedy,” she said in her official statement.
The case joins a growing list of criminal charges filed nationwide against parents and guardians for improper gun storage — particularly when children gain access. In Michigan, gun-related accountability laws have come under sharper focus since the 2021 Oxford High School mass shooting, where prosecutors made the rare move of charging the shooter’s parents with involuntary manslaughter.
In that case, James and Jennifer Crumbley were found guilty of failing to secure a firearm their teenage son later used to kill four students and injure seven others. The shooter, who was 15 at the time, is now serving a life sentence.
And more recently, in September 2024, the father of a 14-year-old shooter in Georgia was also charged for enabling access to the firearm used in a school shooting that killed four people.
Gun Safety, Parental Responsibility, and Public Policy
Gun safety advocates say the Royal Oak case underscores the urgent need for stricter safe storage laws, particularly for households with young children.
Michigan lawmakers have passed measures in recent years to mandate that guns be locked and inaccessible to minors, but enforcement often comes only after an incident has occurred.
“This isn’t about politics — it’s about protecting kids from preventable harm,” one local child safety advocate noted. “Whether it’s a school or a daycare, there’s zero room for error when it comes to loaded firearms.”
Ongoing Investigation and Legal Proceedings
The case remains under review, and authorities have not confirmed whether additional charges could follow or if child protective services will investigate further.
Do you believe parents should face criminal charges for gun storage mistakes, even when no harm occurs? Should daycares conduct bag checks for safety? Share your perspective in the comments.
