Deputies said the 6-year-old boy was airlifted after being wounded in West Perrine.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — A southwest Miami-Dade mother was arrested after her 6-year-old son shot himself with her unattended gun Tuesday afternoon inside a West Perrine home, sheriff’s officials said.
Myeisha Sharie Smith, 33, faces a charge of child neglect causing great bodily harm, according to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office. The boy was wounded in the shoulder and remained in stable condition after being taken from Jackson South Medical Center to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital.
The shooting was reported shortly before 4 p.m. Tuesday in the area of West Circle Plaza and Southwest 102nd Avenue, authorities said. Investigators said Smith heard a loud popping sound inside the home and found her son suffering from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Smith called 911 and told authorities she was taking the child to Jackson South Medical Center. Rescue crews later airlifted him to Kendall Hospital.
According to an arrest report, Smith told detectives she left her gun unattended in her bedroom and left her son alone with it. Deputies said the child picked up the firearm and shot himself in the shoulder, just above the clavicle. The report said Smith failed to provide the care and supervision needed to protect the child’s physical and mental health.
Deputies and fire rescue units responded to the neighborhood, but officials said Smith and the child were no longer at the home when first responders arrived. Investigators remained at the scene into the evening, gathering evidence and speaking with witnesses. Aerial video showed the child being loaded into a medical helicopter outside Jackson South Medical Center.
Smith was taken to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. She was expected to appear before a judge Wednesday. Authorities did not immediately release the child’s expected hospital release date. Under Florida law, gun owners must keep firearms secured and out of reach of children, and failure to do so can bring criminal penalties.
Neighbors said the police response drew attention in the West Perrine area. Alexis Brown said residents were trying to understand what had happened. Alexandria Smith said she saw several officers outside her home as detectives worked the scene. A deputy said the family was fortunate the shooting was not worse.
The case remained active Wednesday as detectives reviewed the handling and storage of the gun. The boy was stable, and Smith remained in custody pending court proceedings.
Author note: Last updated May 13, 2026.