A shooting in Homestead has led to the arrest of a Miami-Dade Schools Police officer after her 3-year-old son accidentally shot himself in the foot with her firearm. The incident occurred on Sunday just before 2 p.m. near Southeast 10th Street and 26th Terrace, in The Riviera by Lennar community. “So we heard some like, ‘Boom.’ That’s it,” said Regina Morales, a neighbor in the area. According to the Homestead Police Department, the child found the firearm while his mother, Stephanie Jerez, was preparing food. Her son needed to be airlifted to HCA Kendall Regional Hospital after being transported to Homestead Hospital due to the severity of his injuries. The 3-year-old boy is currently in stable condition. The firearm was personally owned by Jerez and not her service weapon, authorities said. On Monday morning, Jerez faced a judge and was charged with child neglect with great bodily harm. “You’re prohibited from being physically threatening or violent towards a child in any manner whatsoever,” said Judge Mindy Glazer. “You are also not allowed to leave any guns unsecured in the home.” She has since posted her $5,000 bond and is not allowed to have any person guns in her house. “As a mom, it breaks my heart that she has to go through this as well,” said another neighbor. “It’s her child. I just saw her playing with him before outside. It’s scary because, you know, it should be locked.” In a news release, the Homestead Police Department stated they treat such cases involving children with great solemn. “The Homestead Police Department takes cases involving child endangerment very seriously, and we are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all children in our community,” stated a spokesperson from the department. In light of the incident, Miami-Dade County Public Schools has issued a statement: “[The board] is aware of a non-school related incident involving a Miami-Dade Schools Police officer that occurred over the weekend. The officer has been arrested by the Homestead Police Department. The Miami-Dade Schools Police Department has relieved the officer of duty pending the outcome of the investigation.” Homestead Police urge all gun owners to store firearms securely and to educate themselves and their families about gun safety to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. An investigation is underway as the child remains in the hospital. The Department of Children and Families will have the final say regarding the contact Jerez will be allowed to have with her son.