The Clark County District Attorney’s Office has filed criminal charges against the parents of a boy who died last month of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Ronald Whitis was charged Thursday with one count of child abuse, neglect or endangerment with substantial bodily harm and one count of child abuse, neglect or endangerment, officials said.
Kimberly Whitis was charged with one count of child abuse, neglect or endangerment.
A criminal complaint alleges that on Aug. 1, the couple left one of their guns unsecured in a downstairs bedroom, and their 4-year-old son gained access to it when nobody else was in the room.
According to Metro Police, the boy died at University Medical Center about 45 minutes after officers and medics were dispatched about 2 p.m. to the home in the 9500 block of Chandler Springs Avenue, near Fort Apache and Warm Springs roads.
“These types of cases are so tragic, and charging the parents with a crime is one of the most difficult decisions we, as prosecutors, have to make,” Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson said in a statement.
“Gun safety is a paramount concern, especially when children are in the home,” Wolfson said. “This very sad event is a reminder to us all to never take for granted the importance of properly securing guns and ensuring that children are unable to get ahold of one.”
Ronald and Kimberly Whitis are scheduled to be arraigned at 8 a.m. on Oct. 5.