Michigan daycare staff disarm child carrying loaded gun in backpack

Discovery inside the classroom

On Monday, 28 September, a toddler arrived at Children's World Early Learning Center in Canton Township, Michigan, carrying a loaded firearm inside a backpack. The facility, situated in a community west of Detroit, experienced the security breach when the child opened the bag and pulled out a holster holding the handgun. An educator stationed in the room observed the weapon immediately, intervened without hesitation, and secured the unfastened gun before any incident occurred. None of the students or faculty members suffered physical injuries, and the firearm did not discharge at any point. Canton Police Chief Joseph Bialy commended the daycare staff during a press conference for executing an immediate response that kept the classroom safe.

I've seen the video. I've seen what the staff did. They were prepared and they were able to take the weapon and keep all the children safe.

Police inquiry and parent custody

Canton police officers responded to the center and detained one of the child's parents while opening a comprehensive investigation into how the handgun ended up in the backpack. Bialy confirmed that one of the child's parents serves as a law enforcement officer with an agency in an adjacent jurisdiction. The police chief clarified that the detained parent was not the police officer and noted that investigators determined the handgun was not a departmental service weapon. By Tuesday afternoon, the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office received an investigative warrant request, though prosecutors did not schedule an arraignment hearing for that day. Bialy stated that evidence gathered so far indicated an absence of malicious intent among those involved in the household.

I don't think there was really any bad intent by anybody involved. I think it really comes back to the safe storage of a firearm, making sure we know where our guns are and making sure they're inaccessible to anyone.

Daycare response and security changes

Following the police response, Children's World Early Learning Center permanently unenrolled the family from its roster. The center stated that it remains committed to maintaining a secure environment for every child and family under its care. While the facility already operated with existing safety protocols, administrative leadership announced that staff will now physically inspect all children's backpacks upon entry into the building. Bialy emphasized that watching surveillance footage of a toddler handling an unsecured firearm was distressing for investigators, noting that rapid staff action averted a potentially severe outcome.

If this had not happened, I don't know where we would be right now or what kind of conversation we would be having.

Legal requirements on firearm storage

The case centers on compliance with Michigan firearm safety laws, which mandate that gun owners lock and secure weapons in homes where minors reside or are expected to visit. Bialy reminded gun owners that the statutory requirement is clear regarding the physical separation of firearms from young children. The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office continues to evaluate the case to decide whether criminal safe-storage charges will be filed against the firearm's owner.