Busy on the phone Pennsylvania father arrested after toddler, 2, shoots himself with gun lying on bed

The 34-year-old man turned himself in to police on Wednesday, September 25th. He was subsequently arrested on charges of endangering the welfare of a child and recklessly endangering another person for allegedly leaving a loaded firearm unattended on his bed. His toddler always shot himself. The frightening incident occurred on May 15 at home in Pottstown.

As The Mirror US reported, Marin was reportedly “playing on the phone” when the horrific incident occurred. During a subsequent investigation, authorities determined that the man had visited a second-floor bedroom before the shooting. He was there to pick up a shoulder bag that he wanted to lend to his nephew. Marin's two handguns and his ear defenders, which he placed on the bed, were usually stored in the same bag.

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Injuries to a two-year-old toddler who shot himself

After the two-year-old shot himself, his father quickly grabbed him and ran outside while applying pressure to the wound. During this time, the toddler's mother also came home and his parents rushed him to Pottstown Hospital. He was eventually transferred to Lehigh Valley Hospital. Staff later told police, who were called just before 5 p.m., that the baby's self-inflicted gunshot resulted in broken ribs and a fractured shoulder blade.

The shocking development had also damaged his left lung. Other injuries included burned skin that was also punctured, suggesting the gun had made close contact with his skin when he shot himself.

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The way forward: What awaits Pennsylvania father Luis Marin, who left a gun on the bed?

Despite the heartbreaking injuries, the 2-year-old baby survived the shooting, District Attorney Kevin Steele said in a statement. “This shooting is a frightening reminder to parents that children, even very young children, can and do find unsecured firearms in a home and that they have a propensity to play with them,” he added.

Meanwhile, a preliminary hearing for the child's father is scheduled for October 8, 2024. If found guilty, Marin faces five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. For now, District Judge Jody L. Griffis set his bond at $50,000 with no bail and required that no firearms be kept in Marin's home.