Preschooler removed from program after gun found in backpack

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC/Gray News) - Police say a preschooler was removed from a summer program after a firearm was found inside her backpack.

The Levite Jewish Community Center (JCC) said the incident happened Friday in the N.E. Miles Jewish Day School building, where Ilanot preschool classrooms are located. Day school students are currently on summer break.

According to the JCC, a parent of a 4-year-old student called the school to report that he had accidentally left a firearm in his daughter’s backpack.

Administrators said student backpacks are stored in a hallway outside the classrooms and that the weapon was quickly located and removed by the campus security team.

The school said the classroom was not disrupted and the students remained unaware of the incident.

“We are thankful that everyone here on our Levite JCC campus is safe and that this morning’s incident was safely and quickly resolved,” said Brooke Bowles, CEO at Levite JCC in Birmingham.

The JCC said firearms are prohibited across its campus and that a police report was filed.

In a follow-up message later sent to families and staff, including summer J Camp families, the JCC said the preschool student involved is no longer enrolled in any Levite JCC programs, citing concerns for the safety of children and its policies restricting firearms.

“Considering our deep concern for the welfare of everyone — especially children — who come through our doors, combined with our understandably restrictive firearms policy, sadly we had no choice but to disenroll the student," Bowles said.