4-Year-Old Shot in Hand – Aunt Arrested

Fredrica Lee (25) of Slidell was arrested Monday (November 12, 2018) after her 4-year-old niece she was caring for shot herself in the hand. Lee did not call 911 or emergency medical services but transported the child to a local hospital herself. The injury was non-life-threatening.

St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the local hospital shortly in response to the incident that occurred at a residence on Parkline Boulevard in the Slidell area. Lee told deputies she was caring for her niece at the residence when she heard a gunshot from the living room area of the residence. Lee learned the child had retrieved a loaded handgun from a cabinet located in the living room and had discharged the weapon.

A search warrant was executed at the residence, during which time detectives observed the cabinet where two guns were reportedly stored prior to the incident. The firearms were loaded and easily accessible to the child. A spent shell casing was recovered from the living room.

Based on the investigation, Lee was arrested on one count of Cruelty to Juveniles, The child was released in to the custody of her father.