Mother heading to trial after death of son accidentally shot by his brother

WEST MIFFLIN, Pa. — A West Mifflin woman charged in the death of her 6-year-old son, who was accidentally shot by his 10-year-old brother, was in court Thursday for a preliminary hearing.

Police paperwork said the 10-year-old found the loaded gun in his mother’s purse and “he was playing with his brother like cops and robbers and pulled the trigger.”

Kayleigh Potter, the boys’ mother, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child, falsifying firearm purchase forms, possession of illegal narcotics and possession of narcotic paraphernalia.

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On Thursday, several family members showed up at court with posters and pins with the 6-year-old’s picture on them.

“It's a tragedy no matter what. No one wins. There's no winners or losers. Someone lost a son and no one should have to bury their own son, but, unfortunately, she's facing these charges and she has to defend herself,” Frank Walker, Potter’s attorney, said.

Witnesses who took the stand, including detectives and ex-boyfriends of Potter, testified that the boys were often left home alone.

The charges against Potter were held for court on Thursday and the case will go to trial.

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• Police arrest, charge mother of boy accidentally killed with gun
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