Mom of 3-year-old who shot himself while she slept next to the man who brought the gun into their home avoids long prison sentence

An Ohio mother has avoided going to trial after her young son shot himself with a gun her boyfriend brought to their home, according to authorities reporting on the case in Columbus, Ohio.

Carley Dials, 30, was sentenced to six months of community control following legal proceedings stemming from the Sept. 22, 2025, incident involving her 3-year-old son, Cartier Smith.

Incident Overview

According to reports from the Columbus Division of Police, Carley Dials was asleep in her bedroom with Sean Perrin, 32, when her 3-year-old son, Cartier Smith, found a firearm in the home and fatally shot himself. Dials told police that around 3 a.m., she found Perrin's gun on the bedroom floor and hid it between the mattress and the wall before going back to sleep. Police said the young boy later came into the bedroom and was able to access the hidden firearm.

While Dials placed a 911 call to report the shooting, Perrin fled the apartment. Responding officers arrived at the scene and found the child with a gunshot wound. Cartier was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Timeline of Events

1. Sept. 22, 2025: Cartier Smith is fatally shot inside the Columbus apartment after accessing a firearm.
2. Following the shooting: Dials calls 911 while Perrin flees the apartment, and responding officers transport the victim to the hospital where he is pronounced dead.
3. March 2025: Perrin had previously been arrested for violating his parole in connection with a 2019 conviction on gun charges.
4. Dec. 10: Scheduled sentencing date for Sean Perrin.
5. Monday: Carley Dials is sentenced to six months of community control after pleading guilty to obstructing justice.

Suspect Information

Carley Dials, 30, was originally charged with involuntary manslaughter and endangering children, but ultimately pleaded guilty to obstructing justice and received a sentence of six months of community control on Monday. Sean Perrin, 32, was the boyfriend who brought the gun into the home. Perrin pleaded guilty to reckless homicide and having a weapon under disability, which indicated he was legally prohibited from possessing a firearm. An additional charge of having a weapon under disability was dropped as part of his plea agreement.

Victim Information

The victim in this case was 3-year-old Cartier Smith, who suffered a fatal gunshot wound inside the Columbus apartment. Emergency responders transported him to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Police Response

Officers with the Columbus Division of Police responded to the apartment complex following a 911 emergency call placed by Dials. Upon arrival, officers located the child suffering from a gunshot wound and immediately rushed him to the hospital for medical treatment.

Investigation

The investigation into the fatal shooting was conducted by the Columbus Division of Police. Authorities gathered statements from individuals at the scene, including Dials, and tracked down Perrin, who had fled the apartment before police arrived and was later apprehended.

Evidence Collected

• A firearm brought into the home by Sean Perrin
• Physical evidence recovered from the apartment bedroom where the shooting occurred
• Dispatch recordings and transcripts from the 911 call placed by Carley Dials

Arrest Details

Sean Perrin was apprehended by police after fleeing the scene of the shooting. At the time of the incident, Perrin had previously been arrested in March 2025 for violating his parole related to a 2019 conviction on gun charges.

Charges Filed

• Obstructing justice: A charge related to interfering with the administration of justice or hiding evidence, to which Dials pleaded guilty.
• Involuntary manslaughter: An original charge against Dials alleging causing the death of another as a proximate result of committing or attempting to commit a felony or misdemeanor.
• Endangering children: An original charge concerning creating a substantial risk of serious physical harm to a child.
• Reckless homicide: A charge to which Perrin pleaded guilty, involving causing the death of another recklessly.
• Having a weapon under disability: A charge applied to individuals legally prohibited from possessing firearms, to which Perrin pleaded guilty while an additional count was dropped.

Court Information

Legal proceedings for the case took place within the judicial system in Columbus, Ohio. Carley Dials was sentenced on Monday in Franklin County, while Sean Perrin is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 10.

Statements from Authorities

According to a report released by the Columbus Division of Police at the time of the incident, officers responded to a 911 call placed by Dials and subsequently discovered the child with a gunshot wound. Police noted that Dials stated she found the gun on the bedroom floor around 3 a.m. and hid it between the mattress and the wall before going to sleep.

Public Safety Information

Law enforcement and child safety advocates emphasize the critical importance of secure firearm storage, particularly in households with minor children. Gun safety experts recommend that all firearms be unloaded, locked in a secure container or safe, and stored separately from ammunition. For individuals seeking crisis support or family resources, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available at 1-800-799-7233, and emergency assistance can be reached by dialing 911.

What Happens Next

Following a guilty plea and sentencing in criminal matters, convicted individuals typically begin serving their mandated terms of community control, probation, or incarceration. For defendants awaiting sentencing, such as Sean Perrin, a formal sentencing hearing is scheduled before a judge who will determine the final disposition of the case based on statutory guidelines and plea agreements.