By ZEINAB NAJM
Sunday Times Newspapers
TAYLOR — Two siblings have been charged in relation to the May 3 shooting of a 4-year-old at a Taylor apartment complex, Wayne County Prosector Kym Worthy announced.
Keaton Crowder, 28, of Ann Arbor and Kiarra Crowder, 30, of Taylor, were both arraigned May 6 in 23rd District Court. The non-fatal shooting involved Kiarra Crowder’s 4-year-old son.
Keaton Crowder has been charged with one count of false report of a felony and one count of careless discharge causing injury. Kiarra Crowder faces one count of false report of a felony. Each were given a $15,000 cash bond.
The probable cause conference is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. May 16, and a preliminary examination for the evidence against them is set for 2:30 p.m. May 23 before Judge Joseph Slaven.
The Wayne County Prosector’s Office said the shooting took place about 6:30 p.m. in the 15667 block of Court Village Lane.
It is alleged that Keaton Crowder was handling a shotgun and it accidentally fired, going through the floor, and striking the child. The child was privately transported to a local hospital for treatment, and is expected to make a full recovery.
It also is alleged that the siblings provided a false account of the incident during their initial encounter with police.
Detroit Police Chief James White spoke about the shooting May 4, saying it was first believed the shooting took place in Detroit.
White said the family was working with police but it had been a challenge getting information from witnesses in order to determine what took place.
Initially, Detroit police became involved when they were contacted because the child’s family took the child to Children’s Hospital hours following the shooting, Fox 2 reported.
The shooting took place about 6:30 p.m., but it wasn’t until 10 p.m. that the child received medical treatment, White said.
Taylor police took over the investigation when it was determined the shooting actually took place in Taylor.
Detective Alexander Stellini completed his investigation May 5 then sent his report to the prosecutor’s office for review, Lt. Frank Canning said.
The charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
(Zeinab Najm can be reached at [email protected])