MANASSAS, Va. — A woman in Manassas, Virginia is wanted by police after her 2-year-old son was left unattended and shot himself in the hand last month.
Around 11:33 p.m. Oct. 26, officers with the Prince William County Police Department responded to a home located in the 7600 block of Monitor Court in Manassas to investigate a shooting with injury.
Officers were initially notified by Child Protective Services (CPS) that a mother brought her 2-year-old son to an area hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound that wasn't life-threatening. Initial investigation revealed that earlier in the day, a shot was fired inside the home which struck the toddler. No additional injuries or property damage were reported.
While investigating the shooting, detectives determined it had occurred between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Detectives say the toddler was left unattended and located an unsecured firearm. While handling the gun, the toddler fired a round, striking himself in the hand. Family members and the mother took the 2-year-old to an area hospital, where CPS was eventually contacted.
On Tuesday, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for the mother, Christalle Phillips Moat, 39, on felony child neglect charges. Attempts to locate her have been unsuccessful so far.
Moat is described as a 39-year-old Black woman, 5-foot-1, 105 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.