Full Breakdown
Toddler Finds Loaded Handgun at Michigan Daycare; Parents Charged Under State Storage Law
By Drooid · · How we work
Incident Overview
A three-year-old boy at Children’s World Early Learning Center in Canton Township removed a loaded handgun from his backpack while it was in a holster. The firearm was passed to other children before a teacher intervened and secured it. The gun was not fired and no one was injured. Police secured the weapon and opened an investigation.
Legal Actions Against Parents
Wayne County prosecutors filed misdemeanor charges against both parents. Rabab Al Zayad, 27, was charged with violating Michigan’s gun-storage law. Brandon Ely, 28, a Detroit-area police officer, was charged with fourth-degree child abuse for creating a risk of harm. Both appeared in court, were released on bond, and have a follow-up hearing scheduled for October.
Law Enforcement and Daycare Response
The Detroit Police Department placed the officer parent on administrative duty while the matter is reviewed. Children’s World Early Learning Center announced that the family has been disenrolled and that the center will begin checking backpacks entering the building.
Michigan’s Secure-Storage Requirement
Michigan’s secure-storage law, effective February 2024, requires firearms to be unloaded and locked with a device or stored in a locked container whenever a minor is present or likely to be present. Violations can result in a misdemeanor of up to 93 days, up to five years in prison if a child discharges the weapon and causes injury, and up to 15 years if the discharge results in death.
Official Statements & Responses
- Chief Bialy reiterated that “the law is clear” regarding firearm storage around children and urged owners to keep guns secure.
- Detroit Police Department indicated that the officer parent is under administrative review and will be held accountable if department policy or the law was violated.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Children have a magnetic and instant attraction to guns, for some reason,” — Kym Worthy, Wayne County prosecutor
- “We have to understand where our firearms are, and we have a duty to make sure that we keep them secure,” — Joseph Bialy, Canton police chief
Why It Matters
The case illustrates the practical impact of Michigan’s secure-storage law and the legal consequences for adults who fail to keep firearms out of children’s reach. It also shows how rapid response by trained staff can prevent injuries when unsecured weapons enter public spaces.