'He had a gun': 3-year-old girl shot by 18-year-old brother in Kenosha residence Friday

KENOSHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A three-year-old girl is recovering in the hospital after officials said she was shot inside of her Kenosha home on Friday, May 12.

According to Lieutenant Joseph Nosalik, the Kenosha Police Department received a call just before 11 a.m. for a shooting inside of a residence near 29th Avenue and 51st Street. 

When they arrived on scene, officials said they began aiding a child who was suffering from a "severe gunshot wound."

#BREAKING: A 3yo child was shot just before 11am in #Kenosha. According to @KenoshaPolice, officers began providing first aid for a gunshot wound before transporting them to a local hospital. They are now being life-flighted to Children’s. Working to confirm details for @CBS58pic.twitter.com/fsSXYqPmAo

— Ellie Nakamoto-White (@ellienw_news) May 12, 2023

CBS 58's Ellie Nakamoto-White spoke with the child's mother, who said she received a call while at work, letting her know that her daughter, Iyana, had been struck in the thigh while being babysat by her 18-year-old brother.

“Apparently, he had a gun in the house. I didn’t know nothing about it, and he said he didn’t know there was a bullet in the chamber," said Bonnie Cummings. “I wasn’t even aware it was in my house, so I don’t know where it came from, whose it is, none of that.”

Cummings said Iyana had just celebrated her third birthday on May 4, describing her as "beautiful, happy and carefree."

While police have not confirmed whether the shooting was accidental or intentional, Cummings believes it wasn't on purpose. 

A neighbor who lives across the street said he has young children who play outside "all the time" with Iyana.

“It’s a little bit shocking, you know, I mean I got three kids of my own, they play out front, accident or no accident it’s just a bit unfortunate," said Eraclio Olivares. “Just to hear something like this happen, it’s an eye-opener, definitely an eye-opener because anything can happen at a split second.”

Police said Iyana was taken to a nearby hospital before being flown to Children's Wisconsin via helicopter. She is expected to survive. 

The 18-year-old was taken into custody and is being held on a probation violation "until appropriate charges can be determined."

This is a developing story. Stick with CBS 58 for updates on-air and online.