Toddler Handles Loaded Gun at Richmond Daycare, Administrator Charged
A 2-year-old child accessed a loaded firearm at Thrive Learning Center East in South Richmond and placed it in their mouth before setting it on a table near other children.
On September 25, a loaded handgun was found in the hands of a 2-year-old at Thrive Learning Center East, a daycare in South Richmond. The weapon had been placed in an open fanny pack on a low stack of cots, making it accessible to children. After the child put the gun in their mouth, they walked over and set it on a nearby table where five other children were present; staff noticed and removed it after roughly 15 seconds.
Investigation revealed that administrator Martha Evans had brought the firearm into the center and, together with two other staff members, did not report the event within the mandatory 24-hour period, instead informing the Virginia Department of Social Services four days later. Evans was arrested on October 7, released from custody, and now faces charges of firearm possession at a school and reckless handling, with a court date set for December 15. The daycare, operating under a provisional license since March, remains under scrutiny by state education officials.
Why it matters
The incident highlights serious safety lapses in child-care settings and raises concerns about firearm security and reporting compliance.
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