FLINT, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – A Michigan man, Michael Tolbert, is facing potential life imprisonment following an incident where his toddler daughter shot herself in the face with a loaded revolver from his bedside, resulting in critical injuries.
Tolbert, 44, from Flint, pleaded not guilty and became the first individual charged under Michigan’s newly implemented law mandating safe storage of firearms.
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Charges were pressed after Tolbert rushed his daughter, Skye, to the Hurley Medical Center on Valentine’s Day around 7:15 p.m., where she remains in critical condition.
Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton revealed that the bedroom where the incident occurred had ‘blood and brain matter,’ with two firearms found on the bed.
Investigators in the case were from the Flint Major Crimes Unit which is comprised of Michigan State Police and Flint police detectives.
Two loaded and unsecured firearms were found.
Upon investigation, it was found that a revolver and a semi-automatic pistol in Tolbert’s home were both unsecured and loaded with live ammunition. There was also an absence of gun locks or safes in the bedroom.
A single shot fired from the revolver resulted in a bullet entering Skye’s right eye and exiting through the rear of her skull. The little girl was placed in a medically induced coma to help reduce brain swelling and doctors anticipate the loss of her right eye.
Nine felonies charged in incident.
Tolbert faced arraignment on nine felony charges, including first-degree child abuse and violation of Michigan’s new safe storage gun law.
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The tragic incident occurred just a day after the state’s new safe storage gun law came into effect.
Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director said about the safe storage gun law in a February 8th press release, “Data shows firearms involved in unintentional firearm injury deaths among children and adolescents were often stored both loaded and unlocked, and children were most often fatally injured when the shooter was playing with or showing the firearm to others.”
Family speaks out about Skye and has a fundraiser set up.
Skye’s aunt, LaDorothy Griggs, describes the injured toddler as a happy, funny, and loving child who is fighting hard for her life. A GoFundMe page was set up by Griggs to support the family, acknowledging the significant challenges they face due to the incident.
Her aunt says on the fundraiser page, “Skye is a ball of energy, a joy to be around and the star of our lives. She is the most happy, funny, beautiful, loving, and sweetest three year old you would ever meet. Known for making everyone laugh, non stop and keeping everyone on their toes with all the funny things she says and silly things she does.”
Griggs went on to say that Skye loves the color pink, Minnie Mouse, Paw Patrol and is looking forward to starting preschool this school year. She is her mom’s only child.
Tolbert held in jail with another hearing set for next week.
Tolbert entered a not guilty plea and is facing additional charges such as felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, lying to a peace officer, and felony firearm charges.
Tolbert is being held in the Genesee County Jail on a $250,000 bond. His next hearing is scheduled for a February 29 probable cause conference with a public defender assigned to his case.
