Father of 3-year-old girl who had gun in backpack at preschool arrested

SAN ANTONIO — Authorities in southern Texas are investigating after a teacher found a handgun in the backpack of a 3-year-old girl at a San Antonio preschool on Tuesday.

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The gun was found at the Pre-K 4 SA’s West Center campus, according to KSAT-TV.

Police arrest child’s father

Update 12:12 p.m. EDT Aug. 16: The father of a child who was found with a handgun in her backpack at a preschool was arrested, San Antonio Police Department Sgt. Washington Moscoso told the San Antonio Express-News.

Pete Robles, 35, of San Antonio, was arrested late Tuesday and charged with a felony offense of child endangerment, according to the newspaper.

“The young child has been placed under protective custody with Child Protective Services,” police said in a statement. “The ongoing investigation remains active, with the possibility of additional arrests and charges.”

“This incident underscores the important collaboration between the school faculty and law enforcement personnel,” San Antonio police Chief William McManus said in a statement. “Swift action was taken to address the situation and make an arrest. There are no current threats to the safety of the school or its students. To provide further assurance, SAPD will maintain an increased uniformed presence at the school for the foreseeable future.”

Original report: According to the San Antonio Police Department, the child was unaware that the firearm was in her backpack when the teacher discovered it at about 8:30 a.m. CDT, KENS-TV reported.

In an email sent to parents Tuesday afternoon, Sarah Baray, the school’s CEO, said that the gun and backpack were immediately confiscated, according to the San Antonio Express-News. School officials contacted an off-duty policeman who was already on campus, the email stated.

Police said that officers attempted to contact the child’s father but have been unsuccessful, KSAT reported. Child Protective Services was also notified, according to the television station.

No injuries were reported during the incident, the Express-News reported.

Baray said the preschool, a city-funded early education program, will reevaluate its safety protocols. The school is temporarily prohibiting backpacks, “effective immediately,” according to her email.

“We know that young children sometimes bring items from home without understanding whether the item is potentially dangerous,” Baray wrote. “This temporary restriction on the use of backpacks will allow us time to determine how best to proceed in the long term.”

Students will be allowed to bring needed items to school in a clear plastic baggie, KSAT reported.