California mom arrested after teen son shoots toddler in vehicle, police say

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (TCD) --

A California woman and her teenage son were arrested last week after her toddler was shot in her vehicle.

San Bernardino Police responded a report of a shooting victim at Loma Linda University Medical Center at about 4:13 p.m. on Tuesday, July 20.

A 20-month-old girl was treated for non-life-threatening injuries after suffering a gunshot wound, police said.

Investigators said Veronica Pyatt’s 20-month-old daughter was shot in the right upper leg in the front seat of Pyatt’s vehicle while Pyatt was driving in the area of 16th and E streets in San Bernardino on July 20.

Police said Pyatt’s 14-year-old son had been “manipulating” a loaded gun in the back seat of the vehicle when the gun fired. The bullet hit the child in the front seat.

“Though the 14-year-old told his mother his gun went off, she proceeded to their residence” on North G Street, “claiming she did not realize her daughter had been struck,” San Bernardino Police said.

When they returned home, the teenager allegedly disposed of the firearm “and other evidence” in a trash can while Veronica Pyatt unloaded groceries, police said.

The teenager told Pyatt the young girl had been shot. Pyatt then drove the child to Community Hospital of San Bernardino, before the child was transported to Loma Linda. Community Hospital staff notified police of the girl’s gunshot wound.

Veronica Pyatt and her 14-year-old son were both arrested, police said. The teen was held in the San Bernardino County Juvenile Detention Center.

Pyatt was charged with child abuse with great bodily injury. She was released on July 23 on unspecified bond.

San Bernardino Child and Family Services were investigating the incident.

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