BELLMEAD, Texas — A routine welfare check turned into a child endangerment arrest after Bellmead police discovered two loaded handguns and marijuana within reach of a 1-year-old child inside an apartment.
The call came in around 3 p.m. on June 4 from an anonymous tipster who reported that an apartment on Bellmead Drive had a small infant inside — along with narcotics and firearms that were accessible to the child.
When officers arrived, they did not even need to enter the apartment to know something was wrong.
The overwhelming smell of burnt marijuana was coming through the closed front door.
What Officers Found Inside
Once inside, police located the 1-year-old child and immediately began walking through the apartment.
What they saw stopped them in their tracks.
Two handguns were in plain view and completely unsecured. One was sitting on a low-level coffee table — exactly where a toddler could reach it.
In the kitchen area, officers found a second firearm alongside marijuana and drug paraphernalia, including a pipe with burnt marijuana still inside it.
The Arrest
Lane Venable, 28, was taken into custody and charged with endangering a child by criminal negligence.
The charge is a state jail felony in Texas — a serious classification that can carry significant prison time upon conviction.
Bond was set at $10,000.
Why This Case Has the Community Talking
Child endangerment cases involving firearms hit differently in tight-knit communities like Bellmead.
A 1-year-old cannot understand danger. A toddler cannot move a loaded gun out of the way. That is why Texas law places the full responsibility on the adults in the home.
Leaving firearms unsecured around a child — whether loaded or not — is not just reckless. Under Texas law, it is a felony.
Bellmead police have not released additional details about the child’s current condition or placement following the arrest.
Guns and Kids: A Reminder for Every Parent
Safe gun storage saves lives. If you have firearms in your home and children are present, Texas law and safety experts strongly recommend:
- Keeping all firearms locked in a secured gun safe
- Storing ammunition separately from the firearm
- Never leaving a gun on a table, nightstand, or anywhere a child can access it
- Using trigger locks as an added layer of protection
One moment of carelessness can change a child’s life forever — or end it.
Did this story hit close to home for you? What do you think should happen to parents who leave guns within reach of young children? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
