13-year-old Shot as Father Cleans Gun in Ocean County, NJ, Prosecutor Says

Authorities in Ocean County say charges have been filed against a father who accidentally shot his daughter while he was cleaning his gun over the weekend.

Ocean County Father Charged

47-year-old Edgar Baerga of Stafford Township was charged with aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a minor.

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Gun Accident Sends Child to Hospital

Prosecutors say at about 2:00 Saturday afternoon, officers from the Stafford Township Police Department responded to Southern Ocean Medical Center after they received a 9-1-1 call about a 13-year-old girl with a gunshot wound to the right side of her torso.

According to officials, an investigation revealed that while Baerga was cleaning his firearm at his home, it discharged and a round struck his 13-year-old daughter.

Baerga then drove his daughter to the hospital before calling police.

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The girl was eventually taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune where she was last reported to be in stable condition.

Baerga was served with those charges via summons pending a future appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.

The public is reminded that charges are accusations and all persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.