A man wanted in LaGrange, Georgia, for child cruelty was arrested Friday by U.S. Marshals in Hogansville. Leemarkese Melson, 28, is accused of leaving a loaded gun in the reach of children.

Police believe the gun was used by a six-year-old child to accidentally shoot a four-year-old sibling in the face. The incident took place in May at a residence on Kelley Street. Authorities said that Melson fled the scene taking the gun with him after the shooting. His relationship with the children was not revealed.

Authorities said at the time of the incident that the gun was within reach of a 6-year-old who was playing with the weapon. The gun discharged and struck the child's sister in the face.

"Information obtained during the initial investigation indicates that the shooting was accidental. It is believed that the victim's 6-year-old sibling located the weapon and was playing with it, causing it to discharge and strike the 4-year-old in the face," police mentioned in the statement.

She was rushed to a Columbus area hospital before being flown to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston in Atlanta. Police said she was listed in critical, but stable condition.

Melson, who is a convicted felon wanted for two counts of violation of probation and one count of failure to appear, is charged with cruelty to a child, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and tampering evidence. He was booked into the Troup County Jail.

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Representational image of a man in handcuffs.
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