Boy, 3, accidentally shoots self in face during naptime

HOUSTON -- Investigators say a 3-year-old boy is in critical condition after he accidentally shot himself in north Harris County, Texas.

The Harris County Pct. 4 Constable's Office says it happened while the grandparents were babysitting the boy at their home in the 19000 block of Puget Lane.

"From what we understand, he was shot in the face and there was an exit point. So this 3-year-old for sure needs our thoughts and prayers," said Precinct Four Constable Mark Herman.

Precinct Four constables responded to the scene and called in the Harris County Sheriff's Office. LifeFlight took the little boy to Memorial Hermann. We're told he is in critical condition.

"They were moving him up to Pediatric ICU. It may be a day or two before we know exactly what the status is," says Harris County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Ben Beall.

Neighbors said the grandparents babysit him all the time. They reportedly put him down for a nap around 3:30 p.m., and around 4 p.m., he shot himself in the face.

Beall said the gun was in the bedroom. Beall also says the boy's grandfather couldn't say for sure whether the gun was on or in the nightstand.

"We're going to complete the investigation. We're going to make sure we have our crime scene lab work back. And once the investigation is completed, we'll contact the district attorney's office," he said.

If charges are filed, Sgt. Beall says they would likely be related to making a firearm accessible to a juvenile - a misdemeanor that comes with up to a year in county jail.