Woman in Northampton County shot in back by 3-year-old after man leaves gun near toddlers, police say

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A woman is recovering after she was shot by a 3-year-old inside a home in the Easton suburb of Wilson Borough, Northampton County.

The incident happened Sunday at a house on Forest Street, near 22nd Street. Witnesses told borough police that they saw 41-year-old Brian Siegfried handling a gun on the front porch of the house. They said he cocked the gun and placed it on a table near four children, all under 5 years old, then walked across the street.

A 3-year-old then picked up the gun and shot the 33-year-old woman in the back, according to authorities. The woman was taken to a hospital and underwent emergency surgery.

She is expected to survive. The child was not harmed.

Siegfried was forbidden from possessing a firearm due to a restraining order. He is charged with aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and weapons offenses. Siegfried is in police custody awaiting arraignment.

(Photo credit: Getty Images)