Accidental Toddler Shootings: Why Are Black Parents Getting Criminally Charged While White Parents Go Free?

It looks like there is a disturbing rise in the number of toddlers accidentally shooting themselves in 2016. While most of the parents of these children have been criminally charged for negligence, these parents are usually African-American. Now some are questioning why it's easier for white parents to avoid criminal charges for the death of their toddler.

The Case Of Holston Cole

On April 26, 3-year-old Holston Cole died of a self-inflicted wound after finding a gun in his father's bag in their home in Georgia. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (via Atlanta Black Star), Holton's parents David and Haley Cole were informed by the Paulding County Sheriff's Office last week that they will not be charged for the toddler's death.

The Case Of Kiyan Shelton Enoch

Just a few days before Holston Cole's fatal accident, 2-year-old Kiyan Shelton Enoch shot himself on April 20 after he found a gun in his mother's purse. In dire contrast to the Georgia case, Kiyan's mother Kanisha Shelton was charged with a felony count of a negligence of a dependent resulting in death. According to The Indianapolis Star (via Atlanta Black Star), Kanisha Shelton was immediately arrested but released on bond.

The Only Difference In Both Toddlers' Cases

The cases of Holston Cole and Kiyan Shelton Enoch seem much similar, except for one thing: The Coles are white while Kanisha Shelton is African-American. Shelton is only one of several black parents who are being criminally charged for the accidental shooting of their toddlers.

The Atlanta Cases

Some are quick to argue that the gun laws are different in Indiana and Georgia (via Atlanta Black Star), resulting in different charges for the parents. However, color appears to be a major factor in being criminally charged for accidental toddler shootings in Atlanta. Raw Story reported on Christopher Ashkins' arrest after his girlfriend's 2-year-old son accidentally shot himself while Grant Dennington was not charged when his own 2-year-old toddler killed himself while playing with his father's gun.