Tennessee mother accidentally shot, killed teen daughter while rummaging in purse for keys: police

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Meigs County Deputy Robert "R.J." Leonard’s vehicle was pulled from the Tennessee River on Thursday, Feb. 15, officials said. (Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office)

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A Tennessee mother is mourning the death of her teen daughter after police said that she accidentally shot and killed her while rummaging in her purse for her keys.

In a press release, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department said that they are investigating the death of 13-year-old Dearria Radley.

Authorities said that the teen’s mother, DeAnn Radley, frantically called 911 around 10 p.m. Saturday.

Radley told police that she was reaching into her purse and accidentally pushed the trigger on her loaded .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol while searching for her keys.

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The 13-year-old was rushed to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, but died from a gunshot wound. (Google Maps)

Police said that the handgun discharged and shot through her purse, fatally killing her daughter.

The teenager was rushed to the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital emergency room, where police say she died from a single gunshot.

Radley told local NBC affiliate WSMV that her world is “falling apart.”

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Metro Nashville Police Department, Tennessee (Metro Nashville Police Department)

“My world is just falling apart,” she said. “I loved that little girl so much.”

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The Nashville police said no charges have been made.

Sarah Rumpf-Whitten is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. 

She is a native of Massachusetts and is based in Orlando, Florida.

Story tips and ideas can be sent to sarah.rumpf@fox.com and on X: @s_rumpfwhitten.