INDIANAPOLIS, IN – An Indianapolis mother is under scrutiny following the tragic death of her two-year-old son, who accidentally shot himself with a firearm found in her purse. The case has brought her to court, facing serious charges.
Kierra Bickett, 28, appeared in court Friday, charged with neglect after her son, Javarius, accessed a gun while the family was parked at a CVS. The child was seated in the front of the car with his mother and sister when the accident occurred.
Bickett, released on a $50,000 bond, is seeking to retain custody of her nine-year-old daughter as she awaits trial. If convicted, she faces a possible prison sentence of 20 to 40 years.
During the hearing, the prosecution requested a no-contact order with Bickett’s daughter, citing the trauma she witnessed. Bickett, visibly upset, listened as the court considered this request.
Child Protective Services reported no open investigation concerning the daughter, focusing solely on the circumstances of the tragic incident with Javarius. Bickett continues to care for her daughter since the accident.
Magistrate Peggy Hart is reviewing the no-contact order and will decide at the next court session. Bickett plans to hire a private attorney for her next appearance on September 5, with a jury trial scheduled for November 18.
Outside the courthouse, Bickett chose not to comment, but her mother expressed that while accountability is necessary, the charges seem disproportionate for what she calls an accident.
The community is following the case closely, with debates on gun safety and parental responsibility emerging in its wake.