Daycare Chaos: Toddler Grabs Loaded Pistol

Child hand placing wooden shapes in a puzzle board — Photo: marikun / Shutterstock

A two-year-old put a loaded handgun in their mouth at a Richmond daycare, triggering a shutdown and criminal charges.

Story Snapshot

State records say a toddler accessed a loaded gun at Thrive Learning Center East.
Virginia officials ordered a temporary closure while proceedings continue.
Police charged the center’s administrator in connection with the incident.
Virginia law forbids firearms at child day centers and sets penalties.

What State Investigators Say Happened Inside the Daycare

Virginia social services records state that a two-year-old picked up a loaded handgun at Thrive Learning Center East in Richmond on September 25. The child reportedly placed the gun in their mouth, then set it on a table near five other children before staff intervened. The report says the child held the gun for about 15 seconds. No injuries were reported. Investigators linked the gun to a center administrator, according to local reporting that cited the state file.

News outlets that reviewed state documents reported the firearm was accessible inside an unzipped fanny pack placed on a low stack of cots in a classroom area. Staff removed the gun after noticing the child had it. One outlet, citing the same records, reported that some staff were looking at their phones when the child accessed the weapon. Authorities have not reported any shots fired in the classroom, but the presence of a loaded gun created an immediate danger.

Closure Order and Criminal Charges Following the Incident

The Virginia Department of Education suspended operations at Thrive Learning Center East starting October 1 while it investigates the safety violations described in the state file. Officials signaled they are seeking the strongest available administrative consequences under child care regulations. The center remains closed during these proceedings, and families have been told to find other care while the process plays out, according to local reporting on the state action.

Richmond Police charged the daycare’s administrator, identified in reports as Martha Evans, after the incident. Local coverage says police accused her of possessing a firearm at a child care facility property, a violation under Virginia criminal law. Authorities described the charge and the status of the center’s closure in brief statements to the press. Court outcomes were not available at the time of the latest reports.

Law, Safety Rules, and Why Access Control Matters

Virginia law prohibits knowingly possessing a firearm on certain school properties and child day centers, and sets penalties for violations. Separate state child care rules require secure storage and clear access control to protect children. While much national data focuses on homes, federal public health research has found that most unintentional firearm deaths among children involve guns that were stored loaded and unlocked. Those cases often begin with a child playing with or showing a gun to others.

A 2-year-old put a loaded gun in their mouth at Thrive Learning Center East in Richmond, Virginia, after taking it from administrator Martha Evans’ unzipped fanny pack, according to state records obtained by WTVR. Staff intervened after about 15 seconds.

Staff told investigators…

— Change.org (@Change) October 21, 2026

This Richmond case underscores a common-sense point most gun owners agree on: kids and loaded guns must never mix. Responsible storage and zero access inside any child space are non-negotiable. The Second Amendment protects the right to keep and bear arms, but that right carries duties, especially around children. When adults fail those duties, tragedy can follow in seconds. State officials say they are now enforcing those duties through both the closure process and the criminal case.