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The mother of 4 week old shooting victim Dashawn Dwehene is speaking out tonight. 18 year old Tyreeka Welch says contrary to what police reported, her son's father did not deliberately point and shoot at their baby boy. She says it was an accident and that all they want to do now is move on and take care of their baby. Courtney Weatherburne has the story.

For many, pellet guns are harmless. They're sport rifles used for hunting and target practice

Even kids can use them. But when that pellet strikes the tender skin of a newborn – it's not so harmless then.

That is what happened to 4 week old Dashawn Dwehene. His 18 year old mother explained that on Saturday she was walking with her baby and her boyfriend, Lincoln Dwehene when he got the pellet gun to protect them from a snake:

Tyreeka Welch - Mother
"Me and my baby were walking home from my granny and my boyfriend met me and he got the baby from me, then when we were going home we saw a snake and he got, one of my cousin had the pellet gun and he got the pellet gun from my cousin and he gave my other cousin the baby, the girl who was with me. Then she shot after the snake and at the same time a man came out and killed the snake but at that time my boy already put a next bullet in the pellet gun so we continue walk but the direction he was holding the gun was in our direction and he was holding it in his hand and then he didn't know the safety wasn't on and the pellet gun accidentally went off and caught the baby.

"He no mean it, it was an accident. He loves the baby, even if my baby is vomiting he would hurry tell me hurry wipe him before she starts to shock because my baby is a baby who vomits through his nose and my boy he all time the play with the baby."

Courtney weatherburne
"He is a good father."

Tyreeka Welch
"Yes ma'am."

Fortunately, it was not a costly mistake because little Dashawn will recover.

Tyreeka Welch
"Every day that I go to look for my baby I cry but today when they told me my baby is alright and that he will come out and the social worker come talk to me I feel better."

Courtney Weatherburne
"What the doctors say pretty much, they had to operate on him?"

Tyreeka Welch
"But they say the bullet in still in him near his spine but it won't affect him and later on as he grows the bullet will go closer to the surface of the skin and they can cut it out."

And beaming with that same hope and joy Welch walked out with her precious bundle – anxious to take him home.

As you saw, the baby has been released and reunited with his parents.  Police have said the father can face charges for the injuries - but none for the firearm since it is not regulated as a weapon.