Mich. Mother Now Charged in Accidental Shooting Death of Her Toddler Son

Mar. 15, 2025

L: Emma Jane Huver; R: Avis Damone Coward.Photo:Michigan Department of Corrections; Ingham County Sheriff’s Office

Michigan Department of Corrections; Ingham County Sheriff’s Office

A Michigan mother has becomethe second convicted feloncharged in thedeath of her 2-year-old son, King Muhammad, whoaccidentally fatally shot himselfoutside a Sunoco gas station in Lansing last month.

A man Huver identified as her friend,Avis Damone Coward— a six-time convicted felon who has been separately federally charged in this case — had gone into the gas station one minute before the gun went off, according to the complaint.

Emma Jane Huver at her virtual arraignment November 27, 2023.Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office

Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office

Moments after the gunshot, Huver climbed out of the car, holding her child, who was bleeding from the head, federal prosecutors allege. As Huver got out, Coward’s gun allegedly fell out of the car and onto the pavement.

United States District Court/ Western District of Michigan

That person held the dying child and tried to “control the bleeding,” according to federal prosecutors.

Avis Damone Coward allegedly put his gun back in the vehicle just moments after the toddler accidentally shot himself, say federal prosecutors.U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Michigan

U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Michigan

Meanwhile, Coward stashed his gun back in the vehicle, federal prosecutors allege, and drove away.

Avis Damone Coward.Ingham County Sheriff’s Office

Ingham County Sheriff’s Office

Coward, who was arrested later that day, has been charged in the case with being a felon in possession of a firearm. No lawyer was listed on his online docket.

On Halloween investigators recovered the destroyed vehicle where the shooting allegedly occurred.United States District Court/ Western District of Michigan

Huver, who allegedly fled to Arizona after her son’s death, has been extradited and is also charged with illegally removing her electronic monitoring device that was worn during her probation for previous drug convictions.

Huver’s lawyer, Luke A. Goodrich, did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on the charges.

Emma Jane Huver in previous booking photograph.Michigan Department of Corrections

Michigan Department of Corrections

Huver is slated for a probable cause conference in the district court case of her dead son December 8 at 9 a.m. Bond is set for $75,000 cash/ surety.

For more information on safe firearm storage and the most effective ways to protect children from unsecured firearms, visitBeSMARTforkids.org.

source: people.com