A Florida woman has been arrested after deputies say her young child brought a handgun to a pre-K classroom, a discovery that was quietly contained by a teacher before other students became aware.

According to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, a school resource deputy was notified around 11:20 a.m. Monday after a pre-K teacher at Madison County Central School found a handgun inside a 5-year-old student’s backpack. Investigators said the teacher immediately secured the weapon and prevented other children from seeing it.

Deputies identified the firearm as a Lorcin Model L25 .25-caliber semi-automatic handgun. While the gun had a magazine, authorities said it was not loaded and no ammunition was found.

Law enforcement responded to the school to determine how the firearm ended up in the child’s possession. After interviews were conducted, the child’s mother, Zane Shernell Turner, 25, was taken into custody.

Turner has been charged with violation of safe firearm storage and neglect of a child. Deputies have not released additional details about the household but confirmed that the investigation remains active as authorities work to determine whether anyone else may have been involved.

In a statement, David Harper praised the response by school staff and deputies. “I am proud of the quick and appropriate response by our deputies and school personnel to ensure the safety and security of all students, faculty and staff,” Harper said.

No students were injured, and authorities emphasized that the situation was contained swiftly. Still, the incident underscores ongoing concerns about firearm access, safe storage, and the risks posed when guns enter spaces meant for the youngest children.