A disturbing incident at a Richmond, Virginia, daycare has raised serious questions about child supervision after a 2-year-old reportedly found a loaded handgun inside an unsecured bag and put it in their mouth while staff members were distracted.
The incident happened Sept. 25 at Thrive Learning Center East on Cofer Road. According to state investigators, the child removed the firearm from an unzipped fanny pack that had been left within reach inside a classroom.
Martha Evans, who operates the daycare, faces charges of possessing a firearm on school property and reckless handling of a firearm, according to court records. The charges are allegations, and the case remains subject to the legal process.
How the Toddler Got Access to the Gun
At the time of the incident, Evans and two other employees were caring for eight children, according to the state inspection report.
Investigators said the loaded firearm was inside a fanny pack placed on a stack of cots approximately 2½ feet above the floor. Because the bag was unzipped and accessible, the toddler was able to retrieve the weapon.
The child reportedly put the gun in their mouth before walking over to a table where five other children were sitting nearby. The toddler then placed the firearm on the table and picked it up again.
According to the report, approximately 15 seconds passed before a staff member noticed what was happening.
Investigators said Evans and another employee were looking down at their phones, while a third worker had her back turned as she helped another child put on socks.
The third employee eventually spotted the firearm, quickly stood up, took it from the child and handed it to Evans.
The incident exposed a potentially dangerous gap in supervision. A loaded weapon had been within a toddler’s reach, and several children were nearby before an adult intervened.
Investigators Say the Gun Had Been Brought to the Daycare Before
The state report raised additional concerns about how the firearm came to be inside the childcare facility.
Investigators alleged that Evans had regularly brought a gun to the center in a fanny pack for nearly four months and routinely left the bag accessible to children.
The report also said the daycare did not notify the Department of Social Services about the incident until four days later, on Sept. 29.
Prompt reporting is an important part of childcare oversight because it allows authorities to investigate potential dangers, assess whether children were placed at risk and determine whether corrective action is necessary.
The delay became another issue identified during the state’s review.
State Inspection Found Other Child-Safety Concerns
The firearm incident was not the only problem identified during an inspection of Thrive Learning Center East.
Investigators also documented concerns involving supervision and required health records. According to the report, a 14-month-old child had been left unsupervised during a nap, while documentation of required immunizations was missing for some children.
These findings raised broader questions about whether the center was consistently following the procedures intended to protect children in its care.
Daycare facilities have a responsibility to maintain appropriate supervision, keep potentially dangerous objects out of children’s reach and ensure that required health and safety records are maintained.
For very young children, these precautions are especially important because toddlers naturally explore their surroundings but cannot reliably recognize dangerous objects or understand the consequences of handling them.
Daycare Ordered to Strengthen Safety Procedures
Following the investigation, the state outlined corrective measures for the facility.
The plan called for staff members to receive additional training on mandatory reporting requirements, including how to report suspected child abuse and neglect. Employees were also to receive information about contacting emergency services, the Department of Social Services and the child abuse and neglect hotline.
The center was directed to adopt and train staff on a zero-tolerance policy prohibiting firearms and other weapons on daycare property.
The corrective plan also called for the facility to work with the Richmond Police Department on safety training and preparation for potential intruder situations, according to the reported inspection findings.
These steps were intended to address both the immediate firearm concern and broader procedures for responding to dangerous incidents.
However, the effectiveness of any corrective plan depends on whether the required changes are implemented consistently and maintained over time.
Daycare Closed as Criminal Case Moves Forward
Thrive Learning Center East was reported closed on Friday following the incident and the resulting scrutiny.
The center had opened in March and was operating under a provisional license, according to records reviewed during the investigation.
Evans was arrested on Oct. 7 and later released on bond. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 15.
The allegations have not established a final legal outcome, and the criminal case remains separate from the state’s review of the daycare’s compliance with childcare regulations.
Why the Incident Raises Wider Safety Questions
The incident highlights the importance of secure firearm storage and continuous supervision in environments where young children spend their days.
A toddler may be able to open a bag, pick up an unfamiliar object or move it across a room within seconds. An unsecured firearm can turn that ordinary curiosity into a life-threatening situation.
For childcare providers, safety involves more than maintaining staffing levels or completing paperwork. It also requires keeping dangerous items inaccessible, limiting distractions during supervision and responding promptly when something goes wrong.
Parents choosing a daycare often rely on staff members to maintain a safe environment while they are at work or otherwise unable to supervise their children themselves. Reports of a child gaining access to a loaded gun can understandably shake that trust.
In Richmond, investigators’ findings have prompted questions about firearm access, staff attention, reporting procedures and the center’s overall safety practices.
As the criminal case proceeds, the focus will remain on the allegations against Evans and whether the corrective measures required by the state adequately address the concerns identified during the inspection.
