Baby Sitter Facing Re-Arrest After Fatal Shooting

Authorities believe she might be in the Dallas area

Authorities have issued a warrant for a Southeast Texas woman accused of violating probation she received after a 5-year-old boy she was baby-sitting fatally shot himself with her gun.

The Orange County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday the warrant was issued last week for 19-year-old Melissa Ringhardt after she failed to follow the conditions of her probation.

Authorities believe Ringhardt might be in the Dallas area.

Ringhardt had pleaded guilty to endangering a child, a state jail felony, for the October incident in which 5-year-old John Read shot himself with her handgun while she took a nap. The shooting took place in Vidor, about 90 miles east of Houston.

Ringhardt later told authorities she was high on marijuana the day of the shooting.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us