An Augusta mother was booked Aug. 10 in Richmond County after deputies said her 9-year-old son brought her loaded handgun to Richmond Hill Elementary School in Augusta.
Destiny Shelhamer, 26, was booked on a reckless conduct charge, and the sheriff's office listed the offense as a misdemeanor reckless conduct charge. According to the Richmond County Sheriff's Office, the gun turned up in the child's backpack at the school on Aug. 5.
The sheriff's office said Shelhamer had left a Glock 19 unsecured in her vehicle while she briefly went to get something. Deputies said her son then placed the gun in his backpack and took it to school.
Authorities said school staff located the pistol after another student told them the boy had a gun in his bag. The sheriff's office said a round was loaded in the chamber.
Principal Dr. Tomekia Darrisaw told families in a letter that the weapon was located shortly before dismissal and that school employees and Richmond County School System Police secured it. In the letter, Darrisaw said officials did not believe students or staff were in danger.
School officials did not provide further information about the child involved.