The Great Smoky Mountain Journal
Tuesday, January 01, 2019 03:01 PM
No Charges In Claiborne County Incident After Child Shot In Head Over Weekend
Sheriff David Ray said that a child was airlifted to UT Medical after officials responded to calls at a residence in Claiborne County on a child shot at about 11:30 a.m. He said that the child was treated at the scene, then flown to the hospital.
On Sunday morning, the sheriff said that the child had gone through surgery well and was in stable condition. He said that, more than likely, he would be transferred to Children's Hospital later.
The sheriff said the parents were present in the home at the time of the incident and notified emergency services. The sheriff could not give any details as to the nature of the wound, but said that it was "substantial."
He said that the incident appeared to totally be an accident, and that, "There's no reason to consider any charges because the physical evidence is concurrent" with statements given. He also said that there was nothing "negative" about the family that would suggest neglect.