'A wake up call': child-related shootings fuel Detroit's tough gun safety stance

Filing charges against adults may be difficult – as families are already
grieving – but prosecutor Kym Worthy and others argue shootings are
‘entirely’ preventable

Ryan Felton in Detroit
Monday 30 May 2016 11.00 BST

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According to the Wayne County prosecutor’s office, these children were among eight to kill or seriously injure themselves with firearms in the county, in the last 17 months alone.

“I hope this is going to be a wake up call,” said county prosecutor Kym Worthy, announcing charges in two such cases and calling for a broader public awareness of gun safety.

Worthy also urged pediatricians to discuss gun safety with parents.

“I’d like pediatricians to be able to take much more action,” she said, “and notify, even just for a few minutes, whether it’s passing out a pamphlet or whatever … parents on the dangers of guns being at home.”

In the case of Mariah, Worthy’s office filed involuntary manslaughter charges against the girl’s grandparents, Frederick Davis and Patricia McNeal.

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