A Porter County judge issued a no-contact order Tuesday for a Portage dad, after his 2-year-old son shot himself with a loaded gun left in a bedroom.

       John Mourani, 30, of the 6200 block of Old Porter Road, was charged in Porter Superior Court with neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury, a level 3 felony, which carries a possible sentence from 3-16 years.

       When police arrived Oct. 7, Mourani ran out of the house, carrying his son for help, according to a probable cause affidavit.

       The boy was transported to Methodist Hospitals Northlake in Gary, then a Chicago trauma hospital for treatment. The boy was expected to survive, a release said. The mother lives at a separate address and was not there, police said.

       Mourani said he was in the bathroom for less than 5 minutes when he heard a gunshot and his son scream, charges state. The boy had been playing with Play-Doh in the bedroom, he said.

       [Most read] 14-year-old girl, man shot near Phillips Academy High School in Bronzeville, officials say ？

       He kept two guns, a Glock pistol and Micro Draco rifle, loaded underneath his bed, he told police. The latter weapon had 28 rounds with one loaded in the chamber, according to court documents.

       The weapon’s safety lock was off, an affidavit states. Police later confiscated the guns and a green Versace bag under the bed that had various items including a gun magazine.

       When he ran in, the boy’s leg was “crisscrossed” over the rifle, Mourani said. He wrapped his son’s leg in a white T-shirt.

       At first, Mourani told police the boy shot himself with the pistol, but later clarified he “wished it wasn’t the rifle.” A detective asked if he was “100%” sure.

       “It was the rifle, I heard it,” Mourani replied.

       Council approves $2.4 million insurance transfer, takes no action on sheriff’s department, jail COVID-19 incentive pay

       1h

       No-contact order for Portage dad after 2-year-old son shoots himself with gun

       1h

       Breaking News 14-year-old girl, man shot near Phillips Academy High School in Bronzeville, officials say

       1h

       Ask Amy Ask Amy: Veteran responds to ‘thank you for your service’

       Oct 2, 2021

       Ask Amy Ask Amy: Couple’s age differential brings on questions

       12:05 AM