Florida mom charged after packing gun in child’s bookbag

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. (WJW) — A Florida mother faces charges after police said she packed a gun in her child’s bookbag during the first week of classes at the student’s elementary school.

According to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, the child opened their bookbag at the start of the day only to find a gun inside.

The student immediately told their teacher, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office, and the teacher reported it to supervisors and authorities.

The weapon was confiscated by deputies who then launched an investigation. The school, meanwhile, was placed into a “secure status,” according to the sheriff’s office, which allowed teachers to continue their lessons uninterrupted, and no one was allowed to leave or enter the school ground during the investigation.

“Through investigative techniques and interviews, we discovered the child’s parents don’t live together; the mother placed the gun in the backpack and told the young child to return the firearm to their father before they left for school,” the news release stated.

The father was the one who took the child to school that morning, however he was not aware the gun was in the backpack, deputies said.

The mother, identified as Sierra Bonner, was arrested and charged with child neglect and giving a firearm to a minor.

“It’s crucial that parents know what their children are bringing to school before they leave home. Look in their backpacks, ask questions and have conversations on what’s appropriate to bring to school,” Sheriff Michelle Cook was quoted in the news release. “In this specific case, this was a poor decision and could’ve ended in tragedy. I’m grateful for our partnership with Clay County District Schools and applaud our school resource deputies and detectives for their work to keep our students safe.”

The Florida Department of Children and Families was also involved in the investigation.

Florida mom charged for packing gun in child’s backpack