CPFSA urges parents to ensure firearms not accessible to children

August 5, 2026

The Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) is urging parents and caregivers to place children’s safety above all else by ensuring that firearms and other dangerous items are never accessible to them.

This in the wake of an incident in St. Elizabeth on Sunday, in which a one-year-old girl was shot and wounded, allegedly by her three-year-old sibling.

It is reported that the three-year-old allegedly gained access to the firearm of his father, who is a police officer, resulting in the one-year-old being shot in the leg.

The Agency expressed relief that the child survived and extended wishes for her full and speedy recovery.

The CPFSA said a first responder has been assigned to investigate the matter to ensure that the well-being of the children involved is safeguarded and to provide immediate counselling and support to the family.

Public Relations and Corporate Communications Manager of the CPFSA, Kristen Laing, said the incident should never have occurred.

She stated that the incident serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly a preventable act of negligence can become a life-altering tragedy.

https://iriefm.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Kristen-Laing-PRCC-Manager-CPFSA.mp3