Police: Toddler shoots himself after finding gun under father's pillow

CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. - Police in Clayton County are investigating the shooting death of a Jonesboro toddler Thursday.

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It happened at a home in the 300 block of Blackhawk Trail around noon. Clayton County Police said the father, 31-year-old Johnathan Butler, was asleep in bed when his 2-year-old came into the room and crawled into his bed. Police said the toddler found the gun under his father’s pillow without waking him and somehow fired one shot.

Police said the toddler’s mother, 24-year-old Naterika Pearman, was asleep in the front room at the time of the shooting.

The toddler received a serious gunshot wound. Police said he was rushed to an area hospital where he later died.

Investigators believe the gunshot wound was accidental and self-inflected.

Police said both parents are cooperating with their on-going investigation.

The name of the toddler is not being released by officials at this time.

It was not immediately clear if any charges would be filed in response to the deadly shooting.