According to Marion County court records, 28-year-old Keiara Bickett is facing charges of dependent negligence leading to death.The court during Friday's hearing ordered Bickett's daughter, who is nine years old and saw her brother's murder in June, to not contact anybody, according to local NBC affiliate WTHR.
Bickett was at the CVS parking lot on June 19 in Indianapolis, Indiana, in the 2300 block of East 46th Street. According to the site, her son Javarius Bickett reportedly retrieved a 9mm Glock Model 26 Gen 5 pistol from her unzipped purse at that location. A bullet pierced his skull as the youngster shot before either his mother or daughter could comprehend what was occurring.
A local hospital confirmed Keiara Bickett dead after she reported her son's injuries to 911, according to officials. The next day, she was charged, according to court documents.
“Families will remain at risk until our state imposes basic licensing and training for gun owners," stated Ryan Mears, prosecutor for Marion County, after the incident. "Safe storage and responsible gun owner are not optional — it's a matter of life and death."
In court, the mother sobbed as the judge read the no-contact order. Grandma will take care of the girl until the judge hears from the Indiana Department of Child Services, who will ask him to reconsider the no-contact order, according to WTHR. This should happen no later than September 22.
The starting date for the jury trial of Keiara Bickett is November 18. If found guilty, she faces a possible sentence of 20–40 years in jail.
The prospect of such a severe penalty seems excessive for what Bickett's mom calls a "accident."
'It was an utter accident,' Melissa Etheridge told the local TV station. Although she should have kept the pistol in a secure location, she would never intentionally hurt her children. Her children are her world. This is really hurting me. It's really upsetting her daughter.
Even though the defendant's mother believes her daughter should face consequences for what transpired, she thinks the sentence is excessive. Everyone seems to think she's wicked and evildoing something. What a wonderful mother she is.