The Brief Parents of a 3-year-old were arraigned Thursday after their son brought a loaded gun to daycare in Canton. Mother Rabab Al Zayad was charged with one count of Unsafe Storage, a 93-day misdemeanor. Father Brand Ely, a Detroit police officer, is charged with one count of Fourth Degree Child Abuse, a one-year misdemeanor.



The parents of a toddler who brought a handgun to a Canton daycare center this week, faced a judge Thursday.

The backstory:

Rabab Al Zayad and Brandon Ely were arraigned on charges in connection to their 3-year-old son bringing the loaded gun to daycare in his backpack Monday morning.

Investigators say the defendants' son found and removed a holstered handgun from his backpack while in his classroom at Children's World Early Learning Center on Sheldon Road.

A teacher observed the handgun, intervened and notified the police.

Al Zayad was charged with one count of Unsafe Storage, a 93-day misdemeanor, and Ely was charged with one count of Fourth Degree Child Abuse, a one-year misdemeanor.

Judge Joe Barone set both defendants $10,000 unsecured personal bonds and both are to surrender their firearms while the case is pending.

Father is Detroit Police Officer

Dig deeper:

In court it was learned that Ely, a veteran of the Detroit Police Department, has nine guns inside their home. He told Barone that they are stored in three different gun safes.

The defense attorney requested that he keep a firearm for work, but was denied.

 I understand the position that he would like to retain a firearm,  Barone said.  But given the nature of the allegations and the nature of the offense, I think it is appropriate at this time that both not have, or possess, any firearms. 

Their next court date is scheduled for October 30, 2026.

Parents Brandon Ely, left, and Rabab Al Zayad in court.

 While this incident was unintentional, the responsibility for the safe and secure storage of firearms rests unequivocally with the firearm owner,  said Joseph Bialy, Canton director of Police Services in a statement.  Fortunately, this incident concluded without physical injury; however,

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