A 2-Year-Old Ohio Boy Found His Dad’s Gun. Then, He Accidentally Fatally Shot His Pregnant Mom, Police Say.
June 22 2023, Published 10:51 a.m. ET
A pregnant mother in Ohio was reportedly shot and killed after her 2-year-old son got a hold of his dad’s gun and shot her, according to authorities.
Around 1:15 p.m. on June 16, officials received a 911 call from 31-year-old Laura Ilg saying her son accidentally got a hold of the gun and shot her in the back, Norwalk Police Chief David Smith said.
Officers arrived at the residence and had to force their way into the locked home by kicking down the door. They then found Ilg with her son in the upstairs bedroom, WOIO reported.
Ilg said she was uncomfortable and in shock, but remained calm as she told police what happened, Smith said.
Ilg was taken to a local hospital and doctors performed an emergency C-section, but the 33-week unborn baby did not survive, officials said.
Around 5 p.m., Ilg was also pronounced dead.
Officials said the house was full of safety features, including baby gates. However, investigators learned that baby gates that were usually closed were left open.
The gun was stored in the night stand in the parent’s bedroom, but Ilg’s son didn’t usually have access to that room because it was kept locked, Smith said.
However, Ilg told police her son was able to get into the bedroom while she was doing laundry and he started playing with the gun, WOIO reported.
Never miss a story — sign up for the Front Page Detectives newsletter. Be on the scene the moment news breaks.
The boy then fired a shot into her back and Ilg told police she didn’t realize her son was even able to grab ahold of the gun.
No one else was inside the home at the time since llg's husband was at work when the shooting occurred, WOIO reported.
Ilg’s husband and father of the 2-year-old boy, who remained in the custody of his father, claimed the gun was his, Smith said.
Officials said they are investigating the functionality of the gun, particularly how the boy was able to pull the trigger.
Become a Front Page Detective
Sign up to receive breaking
Front Page Detectives
news and exclusive investigations.