BENTONVILLE — The mother of a 5-year-old boy who shot himself in the eye told medical personnel her son injured himself with a butcher’s knife, according to court documents.
Jessica Thompson was being held Monday on $2,500 bond after her arrest in connection with endangering the welfare of a minor in the first degree.
Lawrence Thompson, the father, was being held Monday on $25,000 bond in connection with felon in possession of a firearm, endangering the welfare of minor in the first degree, tampering with evidence and tampering with a witness.
Their arrests stem from an accident where the Decatur couple’s son shot himself with a revolver, according to court documents. The shooting occurred at 1:30 a.m. June 26 at 388 Hill Ave.
Jessica Thompson took her son to Siloam Springs Regional Hospital. He later was transferred to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock. He has since been released from the hospital.
A doctor told Decatur police the boy had a pattern of burns from a gunshot on his legs and face, according to an affidavit of probable cause. The doctor told police when he confronted the parents about the boy having a gunshot wound Lawrence and Jessica Thompson denied owning a gun. They also said there were asleep when the incident happened, the affidavit states.
Lawrence Thompson later told the doctor the injury was due to a gunshot. He claimed his .38-caliber revolver was locked away, but his son must have found the key and then got the gun, according to court documents. Lawrence Thompson said he was awakened by the gunshot and found his bleeding son in the hallway, the affidavit said.
Lawrence Thompson said his son said “gun went off, gun went off,” according to court documents.
Jessica Thompson took the boy to the hospital and Lawrence Thompson said he retrieved the bullet that lodged in the ceiling and put it in the kitchen trash can, according to court documents.
Jessica Thompson admitted telling an emergency room physician the boy received the injuries from a butcher’s knife, but claimed she lied to the doctor because she was afraid of losing her children, according to court documents.
The boy and his siblings are in the custody of Arkansas Department of Human Services.
Prosecutors haven't filed any formal charges against the couple.