Woman charged after gun found in daycare diaper bag, residents concerned

RIVER BEND, NC (WITN) – A woman is facing charges after staff discovered a handgun in a diaper bag at a Craven County daycare Monday.

The discovery of the gun worried many River Bend residents.

River Bend Police announced that Rheanna Lee, 27, was charged with a misdemeanor for carrying a concealed weapon after she was found in a diaper bag at Excel Creative Early Learning on Pirates Road.

“I’m just wondering what the purpose of keeping the gun in the diaper bag was,” said River Bend resident Jeff Griffin.

One mother, who used to work at a daycare, says she was shocked to hear the news, but not surprised.

“Parents don’t screen themselves to get into daycare, so they probably have to get metal detectors to prevent that from happening,” said River Bend resident Christine Zecca.

A representative from Excel Creative Learning Center says the bag was brought in by the father (Reanna Lee) as part of a routine delivery.

The spokesman added that the teacher discovered the gun while looking in his supply bag and immediately notified River Bend police.

River Bend Police Chief Sean Joll says he was caught off guard when he heard the news Monday morning.

“It’s not something we expect here in River Bend, but it happens and we’ve dealt with it,” Chief Joll said.

Chief Joll said gun owners have responsibilities that come with their guns.

“A responsible adult should protect his weapon and teach others to handle it safely. We have to remember that children cannot tell the difference between a fake weapon and a real one,” Chief Joll said.

The River Bend Police Department determined it was an isolated incident and said the weapon was securely secured by the officer who responded Monday. No casualties have been reported.