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Mother Charged after Child, 4, Accidentally Shoots Himself

Crime | Arrest | Public Safety

Her children have been removed from her home and are in foster care, according to the Hillsborough County sheriff.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY – The mother of a 4-year-old child who accidentally shot himself was arrested Tuesday (April 4), according to the Hillsborough Sheriff’s Office.

Delicia D Forte, 24, of Tampa, was charged with aggravated child neglect resulting in serious injury. Forte’s children have since been removed from the home and are in foster care, deputies said.

Forte is the second person to be arrested in connection with the Jan. 24 incident. Akia A. Thomas, 26, also of Tampa was arrested Jan. 24 and charged with one count each of possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, unsafe storage of a firearm and possession of cocaine. He was also charged with nine counts of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon (9 counts).

Deputies said they were called to Thomas’ home at 12536 Tinsley Circle, #203, about 8:39 a.m. Jan. 24 because a child, 4, had been shot. Deputies said they believe the child grabbed a firearm he found unsecured underneath a dresser and accidentally shot himself in the chest. Deputies said they executed a search warrant at the home and found a Taurus .380 handgun loaded with nine  rounds of ammunition. Deputies also found a bag containing a white powder that, they said, tested positive for cocaine.

Delicia D. Forte | Hillsborough Sheriff | Arrests
Delicia D. Forte
Akia A. Thomas | Hillsborough Sheriff | Arrests
Akia A. Thomas

For information about the Hillsborough sheriff, go to hcso.tampa.fl.us.

Hillsborough Sheriff | Mother Arrested | Child Neglect | Crime | Arrests | Tampa Bay News | TB Reporter

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