3-year-old Iowa City boy found with loaded gun, leading to mom’s arrest

An Iowa City woman was arrested last week after her 3-year-old child was found walking down the sidewalk carrying a loaded gun, according to a criminal complaint.

Samantha Hall, 31, was arrested Friday and charged with child endangerment and making firearms available to a minor.

Hall’s 3-year-old son was seen walking in the 1600 block of Vesti Lane in Iowa City, carrying a handgun with a full magazine. A passerby took the gun from the child before Hall grabbed the child and brought him back home, according to the complaint.

Hall told police that she was cleaning her house and didn’t realize the child had walked away, carrying the handgun that she keeps on her nightstand.

Hall was released from custody Monday after posting $3,000 bail.

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