VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A Virginia Beach woman is facing a felony child neglect charge after a shooting killed a 14-year-old boy earlier this year.
Caromekia Parker, 38, is accused of failing to properly secure a gun at a home on Almandine Avenue.
Back in March, police say a 14-year-old boy and two other teenagers found the gun and were handling it when it went off. The teen was killed.
"Curiosity, mishandling, playing with a firearm, and now we have a deceased 14-year-old," Virginia Beach Police Chief Paul Neudigate remarked during a press conference shortly after the shooting.
A 16-year-old was charged with involuntary manslaughter and a 15-year-old was charged with obstructing justice.
On Thursday, police announced Parker had been arrested on charges of gross, wanton, or reckless care for a child. Court documents say she turned herself into the police on July 14 and has since bonded out of jail. Her next court date is July 29.
The Virginia Beach Police Department released the following statement after Parker's arrest:
"Properly securing your firearms is among the most important things you can do to help keep Virginia Beach safe. Too often we see unsecured firearms being stolen and later used in criminal activity, or being used in accidental shootings. We must all do our part in keeping our community safe."
The department also said that VBPD offers free gun locks at each of its four precincts.
