The .357 Magnum authorities allege Cheryl L. Busch used to kill her 19-month-old daughter was not registered, and Sheriff Curtis Hill believes that because it was an older gun, it likely had been registered before the state started using its current tracking system.
Busch, 39, has been charged on suspicion of shooting and killing her daughter Wednesday at their family's home in the 2300 block of Shore Road. Authorities reported the weapon was a Smith and Wesson 357 model 686 with a six-inch barrel.
Hill revealed today that the weapon had not been in the registration tracking system, which he said local authorities rarely come across.
"There's no record on that (gun) anywhere," Hill told the Free Lance.
Because Busch had been on probation for a misdemeanor battery conviction - she assaulted her husband in November 2007 and pleaded guilty in March - she was legally barred from having any guns in the house.
"If he had guns and she's not supposed to have them around them, maybe he might have taken it and had somebody take care of them for a while," Hill said.
This story is developing. Look back to www.freelancenews.com for updates soon.
Kollin Kosmicki Kollin Kosmicki is editor of the Free Lance and Pinnacle. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 337 or editor@freelancenews.com.
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