FLINT, Mich. (WJRT) – The first person charged with violating Michigan’s new safe gun storage law will stand trial in Genesee County Circuit Court.
Court records show 45-year-old Michael Tolbert’s case advanced to a trial after a preliminary hearing of evidence against him in Genesee County District Court earlier this month.
Tolbert is the father of 3-year-old Skye McBride, who got ahold of a gun at his house in Flint during the early morning hours of Feb. 14. She shot herself in the face causing life altering injuries.
According to Skye’s aunt, she was recovering well. However, she needs to have brain surgery in October. The family is asking for thoughts and prayers.
Tolbert will stand trial on the following charges:
- First-degree child abuse.
- Failure to ensure a firearm is unloaded or locked.
- Lying to a police officer during a violent crime investigation.
- Six other firearms and ammunition charges.
He remains in the Genesee County Jail on $250,000 bond while awaiting another court hearing on Nov. 8 before Judge Celeste Bell.
Michigan’s safe gun storage law took effect on Feb. 13 and McBride allegedly got ahold of a loaded and unsecured gun at Tolbert’s house on Cloverlawn Drive in Flint the following day.
Police allegedly found a pistol and a revolver — both of which were loaded and unsecured — in Tolbert’s residence while they served a search warrant after McBride’s shooting.
He faces up to life in prison if convicted of first-degree child abuse.