Parents are charged after Ronnie Lynn, aged four, shoots himself in the head and is left paralyzed from gun left lying under bed at Pennsylvania home

Two parents have been charged after their four-year-old son shot himself in the head with a gun abandoned at the family’s Pennsylvania home.

Ronnie Lynn was left paralyzed and requiring a feeding tube after a bullet ricocheted through his skull during the tragic July 6 incident.

The youth came across a loaded and unsecured weapon under a bed at his Rostraver Township home while searching for a paint set, police said.

Laura Steele and Michael Lynn are charged with endangering the welfare of children by a parent/guardian and recklessly endangering another person.

Both parents were home at the time of the shooting and heard a pop before discovering their son lying bleeding next to a gun. VTAE reports.

The parents of 4-year-old Ronnie Lynn were charged after the teen shot himself in the head with a gun he found near his Rostraver Township home.

Michael Lynn and Laura Steele face child neglect charges in connection with a tragic accident that occurred on July 6th.

Ronnie was left paralyzed with brain and eye damage after he came across a loaded and unsecured gun under his bed while searching for a paint set.

Steele told officers she forgot the gun was under the bed because it had been there for so long.

Ronnie was taken to UPMC Children’s Hospital in stable but critical condition, paralyzed on his right side.

His grandfather Wally Lynn told WTAE that the youth shot himself in the forehead and that the bullet went “all the way back.”

He survived only thanks to the quick response of emergency personnel, who managed to get him into surgery within an hour of answering the call.

His family said in September that he was recovering and had recently had his feeding tube removed and regained feeling in his limbs.

“His right arm and right leg were paralyzed, and now he kicks with that leg,” Ronnie’s grandfather said.

A few months ago, the young man also began to regain his speech.

However, he still could not walk and had to use a wheelchair.

Steele told police the gun had been under the bed for so long that she had forgotten about it.

Ronnie had regained some mobility in his arms and legs, but as of September he was still confined to a wheelchair.

“They’ll put them in a wheelchair and he’ll have to wear a helmet. So my son, you know, being a good father, bought himself a helmet,” Wally Lynn said. “Then they go on what is called an excursion. He just waves to all the nurses.

The family hoped Ronnie would be gone in time for the holidays.

GoFundMe page as “a strong little independent boy” indicates that he has brain and eye damage. \

According to the fundraiser’s organizer, his parents “haven’t abandoned him” since the incident, even though Steele is battling stage four breast cancer.

The page was created to cover medical expenses. He raised $6,735 of his $8,000 goal.

“Ronnie is a strong little independent boy and is only 4 years old. He is curious about the world and the space around him,” states the fundraiser.

“He loves to help his dad and Poppa with any chores around the house, even following him to cut the grass with his little lawnmower to make sure no spot is missed.

“He loves to dance with his family and cook with his Mimi. He did all kinds of arts and crafts with his sister and played video games with his brother. Ronnie is a much loved little boy.”

The boy was saved thanks to the quick response of the ambulance, which delivered him to the operating table within an hour.

Police ruled the shooting accidental but announced charges Monday.

“This was a tragic and unacceptable shooting that ultimately could have and should have been prevented,” Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli said.

“One simple solution to preventing incidents like this is to store your firearms in a safe and secure location.

She added that Ronnie “will probably have to live with this painful reminder for the rest of his life.”