Sheriff Investigating After 2-Year-Old Dies in Hicksville Township Shooting

A 2-year-old boy died on Saturday after gaining access to an unsecured, loaded firearm at a home in Hicksville Township, Ohio, according to local authorities. The Defiance County Sheriff's Office and the Defiance County Prosecutor's Office announced on Tuesday that the shooting has been ruled accidental. The identity of the child has not been released.

Emergency personnel were dispatched to a residence on Buckskin Road around noon on Saturday following reports of a child with a gunshot wound. First responders located the toddler suffering from what officials described as a "critical gunshot wound." After receiving initial first aid at the scene, the boy was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

According to investigators, adult family members were inside the home when the shooting occurred and are currently cooperating with law enforcement. Authorities have not yet determined who owned the firearm or how the children managed to access it. The Defiance County Sheriff's Office and the Defiance County Prosecutor's Office are continuing their joint investigation into the incident.

In a joint statement, officials emphasized that the incident serves as a painful reminder of the critical importance of properly securing firearms and maintaining strict attention to gun safety.