From Texas, Your Huston News and Click 2 Houston have reported that a three year-old girl was able to stop a couple from arguing when she picked up a loaded gun - the gun itself was what the Splendora couple had been arguing over - from a dresser drawer that also contained drugs.
The child's grandmother and her boyfriend were arrested at the residence located on the 26040 block of Midline Road at approximately 6:30 p.m. on July 17.
The press release from the constable's office read: "Deputy J. Chapa with the (Montgomery County) Pct. 4 Constable's Office responded to a family violence call ... where dispatchers stated a male and female were arguing over a gun."
At the scene, D.E.H., 47, showed Deputy Chapa the dresser that the 9 mm handgun had been removed from. Also found in the dresser were methamphetamine, hypodermic needles and a scale allegedly used for narcotics.
Marijuana and a loaded shotgun were also found at the scene.
The female in the incident, C.G., 44, was located in the backyard.
The report continued: " (C.G.) said she and (D.E.H.) were arguing because he left the loaded 9 mm handgun on a nightstand and (C.G.'s) 3-year-old granddaughter picked up the gun and was walking around the house with it. According to (C.G.), she became irate and confronted (D.E.H.), and their argument became physical, which (D.E.H.) admitted. He also admitted leaving the loaded handgun on the nightstand, where (C.G.'s) granddaughter easily retrieved it."
C.G. allegedly spotted her granddaughter running with the gun and was able to get it away from her without further incident.
The mother had removed the child from the home prior to the officer's arrival.
D.E.H. has been charged with felony possession of a controlled substance, misdemeanor possession of Marijuana, misdemeanor assault/family violence by contact and was also given a citation for making a firearm accessible to a child.
C.G. has been charged with state jail felony possession of a controlled substance and assault/family violence by contact. C.G. was also charged with three outstanding warrants.
Constable Kenneth "Rowdy" Hayden said the case was "very disturbing." He went on to say "Not only were there loaded weapons accessible to a small child, there were also dangerous and potentially deadly drugs in the house. Thankfully, this situation didn't end in tragedy, but it certainly could have."
Hayden concluded, "The handgun was placed on a nightstand that was just several inches from the floor. It could have been tragic. Anytime a firearm is accessible to a young child like that, it could be tragic."
D.E.H. is currently being held in Montgomery County Jail on a bail amount of $3,100. C.G. is also remanded to jail, her bail amount was set at $2,315.
The three-year-old girl, uninjured in the melee, is now in the custody of her mother.
If you have been charged with one or more criminal acts stemming from a domestic violence incident, contact a family law attorney for help as soon as possible.