Authorities in Florida have charged a woman after she put a gun in her child’s school backpack and told the minor to “return the firearm to their father before they left for school.”
In a statement on August 13, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office said that a Coppergate Elementary student found a gun inside their backpack at the beginning of school day.
The student ultimately informed a teacher, and the teacher notified supervisors and law enforcement. Deputies ultimately confiscated the weapon, and an investigation was launched as the “school was placed into a ‘secure status’ by officials; this allows teachers to continue instructing while preventing anyone to leave or enter school grounds.”
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Authorities later established that the minor’s parents do not stay together, and the mother, identified as Sierra Bronner, put the gun in the backpack and told her child to return the firearm to their father.
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“The child was taken to Coppergate Elementary by their father, who was unaware the gun was in the backpack,” the statement said. “Therefore, the firearm ended up on school grounds.”
Bronner was arrested and charged with child neglect and giving a firearm to a minor.
“It’s crucial that parents know what their children are bringing to school before they leave home. Look in their backpacks, ask questions and have conversations on what’s appropriate to bring to school,” Sheriff Michelle Cook said. “In this specific case, this was a poor decision and could’ve ended in tragedy. I’m grateful for our partnership with Clay County District Schools and applaud our school resource deputies and detectives for their work to keep our students safe.”
