Former Police Officer Faces Charges After 2-Year-Old Son Accidentally Shoots Mother Using His Gun

A former Derry Borough, Pennsylvania, police officer was facing charges after his wife was accidentally shot by their two-year-old son using his gun, authorities said Monday.

Officials said the unidentified woman was accidentally shot and injured as she tried to take a loaded gun away from her toddler son. The incident took place at their home in Westmoreland County on Nov. 1.

Disclosing the details Monday, Steve Limani, Pennsylvania state police officer, said, “When the mother walked out of the bathroom, the two-year-old was standing there with the handgun. She reached down to grab it and at that point in time, the gun discharged into her leg."

According to authorities, David Marghella, the toddler's 25-year-old father, had left the weapon loaded and unsecured which was then picked up by the toddler.

“Through our investigation, we were able to determine the firearm was left unattended and loaded without a safety, on the nightstand next to the bed. The last thing you can do it leave it loaded, out on a nightstand,” Limani said.

Authorities confirmed Monday that Marghella will be charged with reckless endangerment and endangering the welfare of children.

"It was an unfortunate circumstance, but we were very lucky in this particular case that there was no catastrophic injury. The child obviously was not hurt. But because of everything that happened when it comes to the negligent use of the firearm -- not protecting it and making sure it was secured -- because of that, the district attorney decided to move forward with charges against Mr. Marghella," Limani said.

Meanwhile, the toddler's mother did not sustain serious injuries and recovered from the wound.