MEBANE, N.C. — Authorities have formally charged the parents of a 3-year-old child who tragically died earlier this month after an accidental firearm discharge inside a vehicle, Mebane police announced on Wednesday, May 29.

Kaitlyn and Michael Hatch are each facing charges of storage of firearms to protect minors, following the fatal incident that occurred on Tuesday, May 7, around 7:55 p.m.

Police say the shooting took place near the intersection of West Lee Street and South First Street in Mebane.

According to investigators, officers arrived at the scene to find a critically injured child inside a vehicle.

The child had suffered a gunshot wound from a firearm that discharged within the car.

Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, the child was pronounced dead less than an hour later.

“This is a heartbreaking loss,” Mebane Police said in a statement. “We recognize the deep impact this has on our community and remain committed to uncovering the full facts with diligence, care, and transparency.”

Court documents related to the case allege that both parents unlawfully stored a firearm in a manner accessible to an unsupervised minor, leading to the child gaining access to the weapon without parental permission and causing death.

The legal filing further states that the firearm was not stored in a secure condition and that the parents knew or should have known the potential risk.

Both Kaitlyn and Michael Hatch are scheduled to appear in court on July 3 as the investigation continues.

Police and child safety advocates are urging all gun owners to ensure that firearms are safely stored, especially in households and vehicles where children are present.