Bewildered toddler calls for his mother after accidentally shooting her dead with gun he thought was a toy

A two-year-old boy keeps calling for his mother after he is feared to have shot and killed her while playing with a loaded gun.

Troy Bailey pointed a 9mm Glock pistol at his mother Julia Bennett after mistaking it for a toy gun.

The victim's ex-boyfriend claimed he watched in horror as the toddler accidentally pulled the trigger.

Troy Bailey Sr. admitted he had left the gun unattended when he visited his ex at her home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Mr Bailey Sr, who has permit for the gun, said his son picked up the loaded weapon and pointed it at 33-year-old Miss Bennett and pulled the trigger.

Police said Miss Bennett, a nursing assistant,died from a single gunshot wound.

Mr Bailey Sr is not listed as a suspect or person of interest in the investigation.

Family members are still trying to make sense of what happened and comfort the bewildered child.

'He just keeps calling her name, calling, "Mom, mom" ,' said Marva Anglin, Troy's aunt.

Family members said they find it incredible that a two-year-old boy could pull the trigger.

Neighbours described how they watched the toddler being checked for gun residue moments after the shooting.

'They took him back there under the tree, then the swabbed his mouth and checked his hands for gun powder,' said Naomi Williams.

Ms Williams is sceptical of the claims that a child, that young could pull the trigger of the semi automatic pistol.

'I'm not saying he didn't do it but if he did, he's a strong little boy,' she said.

Stephanie Andoro, who lives in the same apartment complex as the victim, said she cannot believe what happened.

She said: 'I got scared because I have a little boy and to hear that there's guns, I wouldn't want anything to happen to my son.

'I think it's a tragedy for a parent to have a weapon like that in the household where there are little kids.'

Social workers took the bewildered boy into their care but he has since been released to his mother's family as the investigation continues.

(Published by Daily Mail - April 25, 2011)