MEBANE, N.C. — A tragic incident in Mebane has led to criminal charges against two parents after their 3-year-old child died in an accidental shooting earlier this month. On Wednesday, May 29, police announced that Kaitlyn and Michael Hatch have been formally charged with improper firearm storage after their child was fatally injured inside a vehicle.
The heartbreaking event happened on Tuesday, May 7, around 7:55 p.m. near the intersection of West Lee Street and South First Street. Officers responded to an emergency call and found the child with a gunshot wound inside the vehicle. The child was rushed to a nearby hospital, but sadly, doctors were unable to save them. The child was pronounced dead less than an hour later.
According to court documents, investigators believe the parents failed to properly secure a firearm, allowing their unsupervised child access to the weapon. The documents state that the gun was not locked or stored in a safe condition. Authorities say the parents either knew or should have known that leaving a firearm unsecured around a child posed a serious risk.
“This is a heartbreaking loss,” the Mebane Police Department 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.” The investigation remains ongoing as police work to determine exactly how the child gained access to the gun.
Kaitlyn and Michael Hatch are each facing charges under North Carolina’s law requiring secure firearm storage to protect minors. They are scheduled to appear in court on July 3. If found guilty, they could face legal penalties for their failure to protect their child from preventable harm.
In response to this tragedy, police and child safety experts are reminding all gun owners to securely lock up their firearms—especially in homes and vehicles where children are present. Proper gun storage, including using gun safes or trigger locks, can prevent accidental shootings and save lives. As the Mebane community mourns this devastating loss, many are calling for greater awareness and responsibility to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again.