In the very heart of Odesa region, in Izmail district, unfolds a tragic story that has already attracted the attention of law enforcement and raises concerns about the safety of the home environment for the region’s youngest residents
According to information confirmed by the Odessa Regional Police, earlier in the day, medical personnel responded to the scene after being called about the hospitalization of a 5-year-old child who had sustained injuries to the lower jaw and neck. It was established that the tragedy occurred in a domestic setting when the child's grandmother, a 50-year-old resident of one of the villages in Izmail district, attempted to hide an old hobby from her grandchildren — a pneumatic rifle that their father used to use. These circumstances formed the basis of the investigation, which began immediately after the incident. Preliminary investigations suggest that the woman accidentally fired the weapon, which struck her granddaughter who was nearby. As a result of the incident, the child sustained severe or moderate bodily injuries, requiring urgent medical intervention. She is now in the Odessa Regional Children's Clinical Hospital, where her condition remains under close medical supervision. Law enforcement authorities have already registered this case in the Unified Register of Pre-trial Investigations. According to official information, the case involves culpable infliction of serious or moderate bodily harm — a charge that entails a penalty of up to two years in prison. As part of the investigative procedures, a series of forensic examinations are being conducted to establish the full circumstances of the tragic incident and determine the level of responsibility of those involved. The incident is striking in its helplessness and simultaneously highlights the urgent issue of responsibility for storing dangerous objects at home, especially when children are present nearby. The authorities now face the important task of establishing whether this was purely accidental or if the responsibility for safety in the home lies with an adult. At the same time, society awaits a fair and objective investigation into this tragedy to prevent similar cases in the future and to ensure the safety of every child.