Mom arrested after 5-year-old son with special needs brings gun to school in backpack: Cicero police

CICERO, Ill. (WLS) -- A mother has been arrested after a gun was found in her 5-year-old son's backpack at a west suburban elementary school on Friday morning, police said.

Cicero police said a Columbus West Elementary School teacher was helping a student, who has special needs, and noticed their backpack was unusually heavy. She opened the bag and found an unloaded handgun inside. The school then called police.

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The student's mother, 35-year-old Marissa Embrey, called police to report her handgun missing. Police told her they were responding to the school, and she realized that her gun somehow ended up in her child's backpack.

Police later said Embrey put her firearm in her son's backpack to transport it in her car, but forgot to remove it before placing the backpack on her son. She was arrested for endangering the life of a child and carrying a concealed weapon in a prohibited area.

Embrey was charged with two misdemeanor violations, and a clear and present danger report was submitted to the Illinois State Police regarding her Concealed Carry License and FOID card. She posted a $100 cash bond and was released.

The school was not placed on lockdown, and there was never a danger to students, police said.

Embrey is due back in court on Sept. 13.