Accidental Death of a 2-Year-Old Child 

November 23, 2024 – Merced Police Department officials report that on November 22, 2024, at approximately 4:00 P.M., Merced Police Department officers responded to a distressing report of a child with a gunshot wound. Officers and emergency medical personnel arrived promptly and began life-saving measures. Despite their efforts, the child was pronounced deceased upon arrival at the hospital.

The investigation determined that the 2-year-old child had accessed an unsecured firearm within the home and tragically suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

As a result of the investigation, the child’s father was arrested and booked into the Merced County Jail on charges of child endangerment resulting in death.

This heartbreaking incident serves as a critical reminder of the importance of securely storing firearms to prevent access by children. The Merced Police Department extends its deepest condolences to the family during this tragic time.

Case Number: 24-61701

Merced Police are asking anyone with any information regarding this crime to contact Detective Edwin Arias at 209-388-7826 or by email at AriasE@CityofMerced.org. 

Other ways to contact us or report crime include:

For any emergency call or text 911

For non-emergency call 209-385-6912

Anonymous Tip Line (Non-emergency) call 209-385-4725

Anonymous Tips online at http://www.mercedareacrimestoppers.org/index.html 

Some crimes can be reported online through the Merced PD website https://www.cityofmerced.org/departments/police 

Source: Merced Police Department