Boy recovering in hospital

An 11-year-old Polk County boy was treated for a gunshot wound on Monday, Jan. 2 after his 14-year-old brother accidentally shot him, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

The boy was transported to Spartanburg Regional Medical Center, where he is currently being treated and is expected to make a full recovery, according to sheriff reports.

The sheriff’s office is charging the mother, Cassidy Lee Schronte, 31, of Bill Collins Road in Tryon, and Steven Thomas, 32, also of Bill Collins Road, with misdemeanor failure to store firearm to protect minor, according to sheriff reports.

Det. Sgt. Randall Hodge said the sheriff’s office received a call around 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 2 about the incident, which occurred inside the home on Bill Collins Road, located off Peniel Road in Columbus Township.

The boy was shot in the lower back area by a 22-caliber rifle, Hodge said. The 14-year-old was playing with the gun and thought it was not loaded, Hodge said.

The incident is being ruled accidental and no charges will be filed against the 14-year-old, according to Hodge.