Indianapolis, IN – A 28-year-old Indianapolis woman is facing neglect charges after her 2-year-old son tragically died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a car on June 19. Keiara Bickett is accused of negligently storing a firearm, leading to the accidental death of her son, Javarius Bickett.
The Tragic Incident and 911 Call
According to court documents and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department reports, Keiara Bickett called 911 around 3 p.m. on June 19, reporting that her son had shot himself in the head while sitting in the car. The shooting occurred at the CVS parking lot in the 2300 block of East 46th Street, near Keystone Avenue.
Javarius was rushed to Riley Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead from his injuries. Keiara’s 8-year-old daughter was also in the car during the incident.
Details of the Incident and Mother’s Account
In a police interview, Keiara stated that she and her two children had been driving when Javarius was in the backseat without a seatbelt. They made a stop at a gas station before heading to CVS to pick up a prescription. Keiara claimed that after she stopped at the drive-thru and began texting a friend, she noticed Javarius was out of his car seat, sitting in the front area of the vehicle.
As Keiara was attempting to park, she claimed to have been distracted by her phone when the gunshot occurred. She immediately saw Javarius fall to the passenger side floorboard, then stopped the car, picked him up, and called 911.
Gun Ownership and Storage Concerns
Keiara admitted to owning a 9mm Glock Model 26 Gen 5 handgun, which she typically carried in her purse or stored in a box at home. However, she stated that her purse was not fully zipped on the day of the shooting. She also said she usually places the purse on the driver’s side floorboard, but on this occasion, it was placed on the front passenger seat, near her other child.
When police arrived, they found the Glock 26 handgun with a fired cartridge in the chamber and a loaded magazine on the driver’s side floorboard. A bullet strike was found on the front passenger side, and another fired bullet was recovered from the back seat.
Charges and Legal Response
Keiara Bickett has been charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in death due to her alleged failure to properly store the firearm.
Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears commented on the incident, saying, “Two children are gone, two families are shattered, and it never should have happened. Until our state requires basic licensing and training for gun owners, families will remain at risk.” He added that safe storage and responsible gun ownership should be a priority for everyone.
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