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3-year-old survives shooting himself

The boy, wounded in the leg, got his granddad's gun while his mother slept.

By ABBIE VANSICKLE
Published September 2, 2006

VALRICO - As Brittney Jenkins slept Friday morning, her 3-year-old son slipped into his grandfather's bedroom.

Somehow, Cameron Jenkins' small hands found the trigger of his grandfather's semiautomatic handgun.

A bullet ripped into the boy's leg, but it wasn't until his mother heard him crying that she realized what happened, Hillsborough sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter said.

Jenkins called 911 and Cameron was taken by helicopter to Tampa General Hospital, where he was in fair condition Friday evening, according to hospital spokeswoman Ellen Fiss.

Investigators are still piecing together what happened inside the blue stucco home at 4436 Horseshoe Pick Lane in Valrico's Highland Oaks subdivision. No charges have been filed.

The emergency call came in about 8:30 a.m., deputies said. Jenkins told police she was asleep and heard Cameron crying in the living room when she awoke, Carter said.

That's when she realized what had happened and called 911, Carter said.

Jenkins and Cameron share the home with Jenkins' parents, but only the mother and son were home at the time.

Cameron's family declined interview requests.

Neighbors say they often see Cameron outside, playing with toys near the family's home.

"She takes good care of that little boy," said Rick Chesley, who lives across the street from the family.

Jenkins seems like a concerned, conscientious parent, he said. She asked for Chesley's help to clear a snake out of the family's pool so Cameron could go swimming, he recalled.

Neighbor Joshlyn Wolfram's 4-year-old son, Trey, plays with Cameron.

The boys go to the same preschool, and they often ride their bicycles and scooters together.

"They're very nice people," she said.

Researcher Cathy Wos contributed to this report. Abbie VanSickle can be reached at 813 226-3373 or vansickle@sptimes.com.

[Last modified September 2, 2006, 06:03:05]