Indianapolis, IN – Leon’ta Anderson, an Indianapolis father, is facing felony charges after his 2-year-old daughter, Harmony Anderson, accidentally shot and killed herself in their home on the near northeast side of the city on July 11.
Tragic Accident at Home
Officers responded to a report of a walk-in shooting victim at Methodist Hospital just after noon on July 11. Upon arrival, they found Harmony Anderson dead from a gunshot wound. The incident is believed to have occurred at a home on the 2000 block of Ralston Avenue, near Interstate 70 and Rural Street, just northeast of downtown Indianapolis.
Charges Filed Against Father
On August 20, the Marion County Prosecutor charged Harmony’s father, Leon’ta Anderson, with neglect of a dependent resulting in death. Prosecutors allege that Anderson knowingly placed his daughter in a dangerous situation by leaving a loaded firearm in an area accessible to her.
According to Marion County Prosecutor, the father failed to secure the weapon, directly contributing to the fatal incident.
Mother’s Account of the Incident
At the time of the shooting, Harmony’s mother stated she was playing a video game in her bedroom with the door open. She described hearing a loud noise and then finding Harmony on the floor with a shoe rack on top of her. Initially, the mother thought Harmony was crying due to the noise, but upon checking, she found the gunshot wound on her daughter’s thigh.
In an attempt to save her life, the mother rushed Harmony to the hospital in the car, with Leon’ta Anderson performing CPR in the back seat.
Father’s Statements and Investigation Details
Leon’ta Anderson reportedly told police that he did not know how Harmony was able to access the bedroom, which has a thumbprint lock on the door. However, court documents revealed that Anderson stored his guns on the shoe rack, which was likely where Harmony found the weapon.
Child Services Involvement
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Leon’ta Anderson’s 4-year-old son was removed from the home by the Indiana Department of Child Services.
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