Toddler shoots baby in the face; mother and her boyfriend say they were in motel shower: Cops

A man and woman are facing criminal charges as an 8-month-old baby fights for her life following a shooting at a New Mexico motel.

According to KOAT, the young victim’s mother, 18-year-old Shayanne Nelson, exited the Zia Motel room in Gallup recently with blood all over her.

She reportedly claimed in an interview with authorities that she had been showering with 21-year-old Tyrrell Bitsilly at the time of the shooting.

Police say Nelson told them she did not know there was a gun in the room before her 3-year-old son retrieved it and shot his sister.

Though she speculated that the firearm had been left in the room by a previous guest, the motel’s manager rejected such a scenario. Both Nelson and Bitsilly were arrested on suspicion of child abuse and the baby was transported to Gallup Indian Medical Center where she was initially listed in critical condition.

As the New York Post reported, the baby’s most recent condition was not available.

Medical staff indicated she had since been taken to the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque for further treatment.

Court records reveal authorities had filed two prior charges of child abuse against Bitsilly earlier this year. He had reportedly just been released from jail after posting bond in that case.

In the recent case, Nelson was released after posting $5,000 unsecured bond and Bitsilly was put behind bars with bond set at $70,000, as reported by Fox News.

The suspects were scheduled to appear in court again on Wednesday afternoon.

[Featured image: Zia Motel, video screenshot]