A 43-year-old grandmother from Liberty Township, Ohio, has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of felonious assault.
Mia Desiree Harris, the accused, reportedly shot her six-month-old granddaughter intentionally. This event took place in the early hours of Saturday, December 9, 2023, at a residence on Dutchview Court in Liberty Township.
Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones confirmed that the infant sustained a gunshot wound to the face, in one eye. It has been established by officials that this act was a deliberate act of violence, not an accidental occurrence.
Detective Dan Turner of the Sheriff’s Office revealed in his testimony that Harris, after the shooting, handed the infant over to a relative while displaying a smile.
Deputies were dispatched to the location following reports of an infant being shot. They discovered the critically wounded baby upon their arrival and quickly transported her to UC West Chester Hospital. She later underwent two surgeries at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.
Investigations suggest that a family disagreement turned violent. Harris is alleged to have fired at her daughter during the dispute but did not hit her. Subsequently, she forcefully entered a locked bedroom, firing several shots through the door, and then shot the baby, who was on a bed, at close range.
After the incident, Harris left the scene but was eventually caught by deputies after a short chase. She was apprehended near the townhouse.
During her initial court appearance, the prosecutor informed the judge of the baby’s critical condition as of December 12. Harris’ bond was set at $1.5 million. She is also under a court-ordered restriction to avoid contact with minors and the victims if she is released from jail.
The exact motivations for the shooting are still undetermined, and the investigation continues.
