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The mother of a 5-year-old boy is under investigation after a gun was found in his backpack, Palm Bay police say.
PALM BAY, Fla. -- The mother of a 5-year-old boy who was found with an unloaded gun at school Thursday morning is being investigated by Palm Bay police, according to authorities.
Police were called to Riviera Elementary School just after 8 a.m. after school administrators reported that a preschool student was found with a handgun in his backpack.
An investigation showed that the student got the gun from the rear floorboard of his mother's vehicle and he put it in his backpack to show his friends at school, police said.
The mother was contacted and told detectives she didn't know the gun was in her vehicle.
"There doesn't appear to be any criminal intent in this situation, however, the potential for harm was certainly great," Palm Bay Detective Joe Meyers said. "There are questions here that need to be answered and we will work with the state attorney's office to determine what if any criminal charges may apply."
The gun was seized and the Florida Department of Children and Family Services has also been contacted to investigate the well-being of the boy and any siblings.