A California man was arrested this week on suspicion of child endangerment after police say he left an unattended handgun within the reach of a toddler.

According to the Fresno Bee, 38-year-old Armando Ortega allegedly left the firearm on a sofa Wednesday afternoon while he was at a residence on North Lindale Place in Porterville.

While Ortega was in another part of the home, a 3-year-old child in its vicinity reportedly picked up the gun and pointed it at another family member.

The weapon was removed from the child’s grasp before anyone was hurt, according to police.

At some point after that incident, police were called to the home.

By the time officers arrived, reports allege the suspect had already left with the gun.

“The handgun was quickly taken away before anyone was harmed,” a police statement read. “Investigation revealed the handgun was left unattended on the couch by another family member, Armando Ortega, who was in another room at the time.”

The following day, investigators reportedly found Ortega and the handgun at his home.

“On Thursday, March 8, 2018, at about 8:00 A.M. Ortega was located at his residence and was arrested without incident,” the Porterville Police Department stated.

After he was taken into custody Thursday, Ortega was booked into the Tulare County Jail. He is expected to face a criminal charge of child endangerment likely to cause great bodily harm.

A judge set bail in his cast at $100,000, as reported by KMPH.

[Featured image: Pixabay]