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Father faces charges in Fayetteville toddler's death

Fayetteville police charged a man Sunday in the death of his 2-year-old daughter, who accidentally shot herself.

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FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Fayetteville police arrested a man Sunday in the death of his 2-year-old daughter, who accidentally shot herself.

Melvin Andre Clark Jr., 19, was charged with involuntary manslaughter and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. 

Police said Clark left a loaded .22 semi-automatic pistol under the couch in his living room, where his daughter, Samarri Tyana Beauford, was playing Saturday.

The toddler found the gun and accidentally shot herself, police said. She was taken to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center about 12:30 p.m., where she later died.

No one else in the home was injured.

Clark was being held in the Cumberland County Detention Center on Sunday evening under a $50,000 secured bond. He was scheduled to appear in court Monday afternoon.

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