Father charged after toddler accidentally shot in Raleigh, police say

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — A Raleigh father has been charged after a toddler was accidentally shot over the weekend, police said.

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Officers with the Raleigh Police Department were called to WakeMed North hospital around 1:43 p.m. Saturday after receiving a report that a 23-month-old had been shot. While en route to the hospital, they were told that the shooting happened in the 120 block of Ridgewood Drive. Another unit was sent to that location to investigate.

The officers who went to the hospital met with the child and the child’s father and got a timeline of events.

“The preliminary investigation determined that two children under the age of three were able to access an unsecured firearm inside the residence,” Raleigh police said. “While the children were handling the firearm, it discharged one time, striking the child in the arm.”

The toddler was treated at the hospital and released. Raleigh police said the children are now in the care of other family members who arrived at the hospital to take custody of them.

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Police said the child’s father, 30-year-old Jacquan Corbett, was the only adult in the home at the time of the shooting and was supposed to be surpervising the children. He has been arrested and charged with the following:

• Negligent child abuse – serious physical injury
• Permit children to use firearms
• Misdemeanor child abuse (two counts)
• Possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver marijuana
• Possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver synthetic cannabinoid
• Felony possession of schedule I narcotics
• Felony maintaining a dwelling

Court records show Corbett made a first appearance in Wake County on Monday and was given a $60,000 bond. He posted bail on Tuesday morning, according to records.

In addition to the Raleigh Police Department, Child Protective Services is also helping with the investigation, which remains ongoing.

Raleigh police encourage those with guns in the home to safely secure their firearms, especially in residences with children.

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