Two adults in Westlake, Ohio, have been arrested after a 13-year-old girl was allegedly caught driving with a loaded gun under the seat. Reportedly, it all started when residents reported hearing loud music coming from the car in question.
As reported by WOIO, citing the Westlake Police Department (WPD), the incident occurred back on Sunday, June 21. At around 6:30 p.m., the WPD began receiving reports of a disturbance at the 29,000 block of Center Ridge Road.
Officers had learned that numerous residents in the area had complained about loud music in the area. The source? A red Ford Focus at a parking lot outside the condo complex located at the aforementioned address.
Additionally, a caller specifically told the authorities that those inside the car were smoking marijuana. Agents would corroborate this, but find other troubling details far more serious than loud music.
Officers Meet 13-Year-Old
Upon arrival, officers were quick to spot the Ford Focus. The red car was observed moving through the Center Ridge Road parking lot, eventually parking in one empty spot.
Officers approached the vehicle and quickly found out that the driver was a minor. More specifically, it was a 13-year-old girl behind the wheel and a 19-year-old male sitting in the front passenger seat.
As officers picked up on the reported marijuana allegations, a third individual entered the equation. It was the 24-year-old guardian of the teen girl.
Gun Found Under Seat
Officers began talking with the 24-year-old. She explained that she had arrived with the 13-year-old and the 19-year-old to the condo and had left the car in the parking lot.
That is when, according to the police. The two teenagers decided to drive around the parking lot while the 24-year-old got out to meet someone.
While inspecting the car, however, police made a startling discovery. According to them, a gun magazine was found stashed in the pocket of the car door, and a loaded gun was located underneath a seat.
Adults Arrested
Footage shared by the Westlake Police Department through WOIO showed the 19-year-old in handcuffs. One of the officers can be seen clearing the firearm found in the car.
Police said that both the 19-year-old and the 24-year-old were aware of the gun’s location. As a result, both of them were placed under arrest.
Both individuals are charged with improper handling of a firearm and endangering children. The former charge could end up with a sentence of up to 18 months in jail.
The 13-year-old waited for a relative at the Westlake Police Department.