RIVIERA BEACH, Fla. – A 39-year-old mother in Florida was arrested last week after she allegedly sent her child to day care with a loaded handgun hidden inside their lunchbox. Shanae D. Davis is now facing charges of felony child neglect and allowing a minor to access a firearm, according to court documents.
The incident came to light on March 14, 2024, when a teacher at the day care, Jackson’s Daycare Center in Riviera Beach, discovered the gun in the child’s lunchbox. The teacher immediately contacted the authorities, who later returned the firearm to Davis after making contact with her.
In a statement to the police, Davis explained that she usually keeps the firearm locked in her car’s glove compartment, but due to recent break-ins at her apartment complex, she had started removing it from the vehicle. On the morning of the incident, she unintentionally placed the gun in her child’s lunchbox as a temporary storage solution.
Fortunately, no one was injured during the incident. However, the mother now faces serious legal consequences. Davis was booked into Palm Beach County Jail and released after posting a $2,000 bond. She is scheduled to appear in court again on April 18.
Ensuring the safety of children is paramount, and incidents like these serve as a reminder of the importance of responsible gun ownership and storage. Parents are urged to prioritize the well-being of their families by securely storing firearms away from accessible areas, particularly in instances where minors are present.
Law enforcement agencies have yet to comment on whether further action will be taken to ensure the child’s welfare.