Richmond daycare remains closed after toddler accessed loaded gun, state says

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - A Richmond daycare where state inspectors say a 2-year-old got hold of a loaded gun and put the barrel in their mouth has not operated since Oct. 1, according to the Virginia Department of Education.

The agency says Thrive Learning Center East will remain closed while administrative proceedings are underway and that officials have recommended the strongest possible consequences.

Richmond police have charged 66-year-old Martha Evans, an administrator at the daycare, with possession of a firearm at a child daycare center and reckless storage of a firearm.

Police say the investigation remains ongoing.

According to state inspection records, Evans had routinely brought a firearm into the daycare for nearly four months, leaving it accessible to children.

On Sept. 25, inspectors say a 2-year-old retrieved the loaded gun from an unzipped fanny pack sitting on a stack of cots just 31 inches off the ground.

The child pulled out the gun, put the barrel in their mouth and placed it on a table near five other children before picking it up again, according to the report.

Three adults were in the classroom at the time. Two were looking down at their phones, while a third had their back turned while caring for another child.

Inspectors say the child had the gun for approximately 15 seconds before staff noticed.

The inspection also identified additional safety violations, including a 14-month-old left unsupervised in a closed infant room, as well as issues involving supervision and staff records.

12 On Your Side legal analyst Steve Benjamin said adults responsible for supervising children have an ongoing duty to protect their safety.

“When a person takes on that responsibility, you don’t have the luxury of everyday distractions like looking down on your phone, scrolling through social media,” Benjamin said.

Benjamin said prosecutors would need to establish that Evans knowingly brought a firearm onto the property of a child day program to prove the felony charge, which he said carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison.

He also said failures to properly supervise children could raise questions about potential child abuse or neglect charges.

Police have not announced any such additional charges.

“What’s striking about what’s been alleged in this case is how egregious the conduct was. That’s exactly why the General Assembly acted not very long ago to make sure that this type of conduct, permitting a child access to a loaded firearm, is a punishable offense,” Benjamin said.

State confirms daycare remains closed

In a statement to 12 On Your Side, a Virginia Department of Education spokesperson said the agency immediately began investigating after learning of the allegations, working with Child Protective Services and conducting a follow-up visit Sept. 30.

The agency said it moved quickly through its investigation and recommended the strongest possible consequences.

The daycare has submitted a corrective action plan addressing the violations identified by inspectors, including additional training and a zero-tolerance weapons policy.

VDOE has not specified what enforcement action it recommended or whether the facility’s license will ultimately be suspended or revoked.

The criminal investigation remains ongoing.