A mother was in custody after Phoenix police said she let her children handle a firearm, leaving her 14-year-old son dead in an accidental shooting.

Police first responded to the shooting on the night of Aug. 10 at a motel near 27th Avenue and Union Hills Drive. Jeremiah Ricci was found unresponsive with an apparent gunshot wound and was later pronounced dead.

Police detained multiple people found in the room, but learned Ricci's mother had left. Jewell Griffen, 40, later returned and was taken into custody.

Phoenix detectives said witnesses told them Griffen had let her two sons handle the gun in their hotel room. The gun was later fired and hit Ricci.

Griffen was held on suspicion of multiple charges, including child abuse. Her bond was set at $250,050 and her next court appearance w

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