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Toddler fatally shot himself with handgun

Posted at 5:33 PM, Feb 26, 2016
and last updated 2016-02-27 23:55:47-05

SUNMAN, Ind. -- A 3-year-old fatally shot himself Friday afternoon near Sunman, Indiana.

Dearborn County deputies were called to the scene on Van Wedding Road shortly after 5 p.m.; the Dearborn County coroner arrived at about 6:30 p.m.

A round from a .357 Magnum handgun struck the 3-year-old boy, Christopher Griffith, in the chest, Dearborn County Deputy Brian Jansen said.

"With the sheriff's department, Sunman Police was on scene, Sunman EMS, Dearborn County Coroner's Office, Indiana State Police -- anybody involved in something like this, it's about as bad as it gets," he said.

An autopsy revealed that the boy died from a single gunshot wound at close range that he fired himself, Coroner Steve Callahan said Saturday. It was believed to be accidental.

There were no signs of any prior physical abuse, Callahan said.

It is unknown whether charges will be filed, Jansen said.

WCPO will update this story as more information becomes available.