Mom charged after boy takes loaded gun to school

The mother of a 7-year-old boy accused of taking a loaded gun to school Tuesday was charged in the case Wednesday, authorities said.

Rachella Shanee Saunders, 27, of 722 Alexwood Drive in Hope Mills, was charged with storing a firearm in a manner accessible to a minor, a misdemeanor offense. She was released after posting a $1,000 bond.

The boy, who is a student at Elizabeth Cashwell Elementary School, on Legion Road in Fayetteville, was detained Tuesday afternoon. The case was turned over to the Office of Juvenile Justice in Cumberland County.

Investigators said they believe he hid the gun in his book bag before leaving home Tuesday morning and managed to keep it hidden until after lunchtime.

Authorities were called to the school Tuesday afternoon, after the student allegedly threatened others.

No one was injured in the incident.