INDIANAPOLIS — The shooting death of a child on the east side of Indianapolis last week has led to neglect charges against the child's father.
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to the 1300 block of North Kealing Avenue on reports of a person shot.
Upon arrival, officers located a male child with injuries consistent with gunshot wounds. The child was identified as 5-year-old Hakiem Scott on May 16.
The child was transported to Riley Hospital in critical condition. Despite life saving efforts, IMPD later confirmed the child died due to his injuries.
According to IMPD, the incident was reported as possibly self-inflicted and accidental.
The shooting happened inside a residence while the child's father was in the bathroom and mother was in the kitchen, according to court documents.
Both parents told police they heard a single gunshot and then found the child in the living room covered in blood.
After an investigation with the Marion County Prosecutor's Office, detectives arrested 25-year-old Jahbar Scott for neglect of a dependent causing death. According to preliminary court documents, the man is the father of the 5-year-old.
This week Scott was formally charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in death.
The child's mother tested positive for cocaine during a test. According to court documents, cocaine lines with a rolled dollar bill were found in the house.
Scott is also charged with possession of cocaine.
IMPD is urging gun owners to be responsible with their firearms so that they do not fall into the hands of people who should not have them, especially children.
