Teasia Leonard Faces Child Endangerment Charge After Toddler Accidentally Shoots Himself in Nottingham Road Home
CLEVELAND, OH — Teasia Leonard appeared in court Thursday, facing a charge of child endangerment after her two‑year‑old toddler accidentally shot himself inside their Nottingham Road home on May 31. Prosecutors allege Leonard placed her son in a scenario that posed a “substantial risk” to his safety .
The May 31 Incident: What Prosecutors Say
Court documents reveal the child was left alone in a bedroom when the firearm incident occurred. Shortly after, the toddler sustained a self‑inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities responded to the home and confirmed that the child had fired the gun, injuring himself .
Leonard’s arrest stems from the assertion that she knowingly created an unsafe environment by allowing a firearm into her home — one she claimed she neither owned nor had knowledge of.
Leonard’s Defense: A Hidden Gun in a New Relationship
Through her attorney, Leonard maintains she does not own a firearm and was unaware a weapon was in her house. Her defense indicates that the gun belonged to someone connected to her new romantic relationship. She claims a person brought the firearm into her home without her knowledge, and that she was simply swayed by personal trust in a partner, not criminal negligence.
Court Proceedings and Protecting the Child
During Thursday’s arraignment, a judge set Leonard’s bond at $1,000, with strict conditions: no contact with her child unless authorized by Job and Family Services (JFS), and a ban on firearm possession.
Following the incident, JFS placed the toddler in the care of his grandmother. The agency also flagged investigations into the child’s ongoing welfare and care environment (local12.com).
Additional Charges: Friend Allegedly Disposed of Weapon
Court records reveal that another person, identified as Carmelo Anderson, faces charges related to the same incident. He is accused of providing the firearm and later attempting to dispose of it after the shooting.
Anderson is currently held on $10,000 bond, charged with tampering with evidence and child endangerment (local12.com).
Legal Landscape: What Constitutes Child Endangerment in Ohio
Under Ohio law, endangering a child involves creating a substantial risk to a child’s safety or health. The charge can arise even in unintentional cases, as long as an individual’s negligent or reckless actions endangered the welfare of a minor.
Leonard’s case turns on whether prosecutors can show she should have known about the presence of the firearm and taken action to secure it or remove it altogether. If convicted, she may face fines and potential jail time — penalties designed to deter neglect and protect children .
Medical Condition of the Toddler
While the child sustained a gunshot wound to the leg or foot, official updates confirm he is expected to recover fully under grandmother’s care. The police describe his injuries as non‑life‑threatening. Still, both authorities and social workers plan to monitor his physical and emotional recovery closely.
Precedents and Similar Cases in Ohio
This incident is not isolated. Across Ohio, cases of children accidentally shooting themselves after gaining access to unsecured firearms are depressingly common. Advocates point to statistics showing that the lack of childproofing in homes with guns leads to preventable injuries and tragedies — a fact underscored by numerous child‑endangerment prosecutions in similar circumstances.
Community Reaction and Public Safety Concerns
Neighbors on Nottingham Road express shock and dismay. Many say the family appeared ordinary and well‑meaning. But in the wake of the incident, local safety advocates have renewed calls for broader education on responsible gun ownership and storage.
One local resident stated, “It’s terrifying to learn a toddler was able to find a gun and fire it. We have to do better as a community when it comes to protecting our children.”
Leading gun safety groups also highlight the importance of safe storage laws and child access prevention statutes, which require firearms to be secured against unauthorized or accidental access.
Protective Agents and Social Services
Ohio’s child protection services now play a central role. JFS conducts evaluations in any case where a child is injured under suspicious or risky circumstances. Leonard’s temporary loss of custody underscores the agency’s mandate to prioritize the child’s immediate safety while broader legal processes unfold.
Counsel from JFS will determine visitation rights and long‑term care arrangements guided by the child’s best interests, an approach common in cases involving alleged negligence.
What Happens Next in Court
Leonard will return to court for preliminary hearings, where evidence—including police reports, witness statements, and any records of the firearm’s origin or accessibility—will be reviewed.
If evidence shows Leonard failed to secure or remove the weapon, or should have known it was present, prosecutors may push for conviction. Conversely, her defense could argue the lack of awareness absolves her of criminal intent or recklessness.
Ripple Effects: Advocacy and Support for Victims
The incident has sparked renewed conversation among parenting groups and gun‑safety advocates in Cleveland and beyond. Many emphasize that leaving a gun unsecured can lead to accidental shootings, spurring efforts to raise awareness among gun owners in homes with children.
Organizations like the Brady Campaign and Everytown for Gun Safety offer tools for safe storage and demonstrate that such tragedies are preventable. These programs are especially relevant given the frequency of similar incidents statewide and nationally.
Medical, Psychological & Long-Term Support Needs
Although the child is physically stable, incident‑related trauma may require medical follow‑up and mental health care. Pediatric psychologists often recommend therapy for young children after such traumatic events — especially when the perpetrator is a primary caregiver.
Counseling for the grandmother and extended family is also commonly arranged to cope with stress and ensure a supportive environment for the child.
Legal Experts Weigh In
Legal analysts point out that child endangerment cases involving firearms often highlight gaps in firearm safety education and enforcement.
“Even without intent to harm, leaving a loaded or unsecured weapon accessible to a child can be legally actionable,” explains a local defense attorney, underscoring that Ohio law penalizes risk creation, not only deliberate neglect.
The Role of Firearm Safety Laws
Ohio requires gun owners to store firearms in a manner that prevents misuse by children or unauthorized individuals. While the state doesn’t enforce universal safe‑storage mandates, prosecutors can still use unsafe storage as evidence in child‑endangerment charges.
