Two-year-old Jarel Miles, a Black male, died of a gunshot wound to the head at his Indianapolis home on February 27, 2024. He reportedly found a loaded handgun inside his mother’s purse after they returned from running errands to a residence in the 3700 block of North Dearborn Street. His mother, Tiara Reeves, said she was doing household chores when Jarel told her he was going to the bathroom; a loud noise followed and she found him unresponsive on a bed. He was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition and later died.

Police reports indicate the firearm was usually removed from the purse and secured, but on this day it remained in the handbag. Reeves was charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in death. Does anyone have information about the household circumstances or safe storage practices in that neighborhood that could help clarify how the gun remained accessible?