Original Blog Entry: Dad says baby 2 and 1/2 used a Glock to shoot his Mommie

truesee — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 17:42:11 GMT

Miramar woman identified in claim that child fired fatal shot from Glock; investigation continues

Neighbor: 'Ain't no way the baby did it'

Julia Bennett

Sofia Santana and Danielle A. Alvarez, Sun Sentinel

12:28 p.m. EDT, April 21, 2011

MIRAMAR

Police on Thursday identified the woman who died in a case in which a 911 caller reported that a woman had been shot by her toddler son.

Julia Bennett, 33, was found dead when police went to a third floor apartment at the Ashlar complex in the 8200 block of Sherman Circle North after the 911 call was made Wednesday evening, authorities said.

Neighbors said they heard one gunshot about 7 p.m.

Outside the complex Thursday, Tania Rues, Miramar police spokeswoman said the 911 call was made by the father of the 2 1/2-year-old boy. The father, who hasn't been identified, told authorities the gun, a semi-automatic Glock, somehow became accessible to the youngster who accidentally fired it.

The father has a concealed weapons permit for the gun, Rues said. The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation.

Bennett has other children, though the toddler boy is the only one who lives with her. She and the child's father are not married, Rues said.

The youngster is currently in the custody of Florida's Department of Children and Families. A placement hearing has been scheduled for Friday.

When the shot was heard Wednesday evening, several Miramar police officers were already at the apartment complex, searching for a missing 6-year-old who was quickly found unharmed, witnesses said.

After the shot, officers ran to the apartment and kicked in the door, said Abel Hernandez, 19, who lives in an adjacent building in the complex.

The police brought out a small boy wearing a striped shirt and shorts, Hernandez said.

Detectives on Wednesday night tried to talk to the 2 1/2-year-old child outside the apartment. Rues said the child, who was not injured, did not appear to understand what had happened.

It appears he is not aware of what exactly occurred, Rues said.

On Thursday, residents leaving the gated apartment complex for work, school or to walk their dogs were talking about what had happened.

Resident Naomi Williams, 49, said she was shocked by the incident and doesn't think a toddler could be responsible.

Williams said officers had the child outside her apartment door on Wednesday night where she saw them check his hands and take a swab from his mouth.

I was looking at the baby's hands and ain't no way the baby did it, Williams said.

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