Georgia parents charged after 4-year-old son shoots, kills himself

AUGUSTA, Ga. — An Augusta father and mother have been charged in the death of their 4-year-old son who shot himself Saturday after he got hold of a gun.

Authorities said it appears Justin Foss Jr. found his father’s gun and accidentally shot himself, according to the Augusta Chronicle. The boy was pronounced dead about 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the Augusta University Medical Center, an hour after Richmond County sheriff’s deputies were called to the shooting at a Skinner Mill Road apartment.

His father, Justin Foss Sr., 27, was arrested Saturday on an initial charge of possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. He was convicted in 2013 of strong-arm robbery in South Carolina, the Chronicle reported.

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On Tuesday, a grand jury returned indictments for both Justin and Shelby Foss, 24.

They are each accused of second-degree murder and cruelty to children in the second degree. The jury charged that the couple was criminally negligent in their responsibilities as parents to the boy, according to the Chronicle.

Justin Foss is also accused of felony murder connected to his weapons possession charge.

Both are currently being held in the Richmond County jail. A judge has denied bond for Justin Foss, jail records show.

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