DETROIT, Jan. 19 (UPI) -- Three adults have been charged in the shooting death of a 4-year-old boy by his 4-year-old cousin, Detroit police said Sunday.
Patricia Johnson, 53, was arraigned on charges of involuntary manslaughter, second-degree child abuse and being a felon in possession of a firearm, MLive.com reported. Robert B. Richardson, 66, was arraigned for counts of involuntary manslaughter, second-degree child abuse, careless discharge of a firearm causing injury or death, and being a felon in possession of a firearm, the news website said.
Prosecutors charged Harvey Witcher, 55, with involuntary manslaughter, being a felon in possession of a firearm and a felony firearm count. He was not in custody, MLive.com said.
The three are accused in the Thursday shooting death of Jamel Witcher Jr., 4, by his 4-year-old cousin. The girl found a loaded rifle and shot him in the chest while the two were in a bedroom, police have said.
While the news website said the adults' relationships with the children was unclear, police said Jamel was staying at his grandparents home with two cousins, a 4-year-old girl and 5-year-old boy. The grandparents had left the home and a family friend was watching the children, police said.
Bond was set at $200,000 each for Richardson and Johnson, who are to be back in court Jan. 31 for a preliminary hearing.
