A simple dispute over a child playing with a toy allegedly turned into a terrifying confrontation at an Indianapolis children’s store, after prosecutors accused 21-year-old Tamya Staten of pulling a handgun and pointing it toward employees.
According to court documents and reports from local news outlets, the incident happened on July 16 at a Once Upon A Child store in the 1200 block of West 86th Street in Indianapolis. Staten reportedly entered the store with her toddler while attempting to sell clothing.
Things allegedly escalated after the child began playing with a small motorized toy inside the store.
An employee reportedly told Staten that children were not allowed to play with merchandise in the store. According to the probable-cause affidavit, Staten acknowledged the employee but allegedly allowed her child to continue playing with the toy.
When the employee repeated the store’s policy, authorities say Staten became confrontational.
Police allege Staten pulled a large black handgun from her belongings and placed it into her leggings. She allegedly continued arguing with employees before pointing the firearm in their direction.
According to the affidavit, Staten allegedly told an employee, “We can fight about it. We can get down,” before allegedly threatening to use the gun.
The confrontation was reportedly captured on the store’s surveillance cameras.
Authorities say the footage showed Staten with the firearm while her child remained nearby. At one point, she allegedly encouraged the child to continue playing with the motorized toy before eventually putting the weapon away.
Staten then allegedly picked up her child and left the store.
An employee had reportedly activated the store’s silent holdup alarm during the confrontation, prompting Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers to respond.
Investigators later used surveillance footage to obtain information about the vehicle Staten allegedly drove away in. According to reports, detectives identified a 2011 Jeep Patriot and used its license plate information, along with identification Staten had previously provided to the store while attempting to sell clothing, to help identify her.
The employee who allegedly had the confrontation with Staten also reportedly identified her during a police photo lineup.
Despite the incident occurring in July, formal charges were not filed until September 29.
Staten is now facing two felony charges in Marion Superior Court: intimidation with a deadly weapon, a Level 5 felony, and pointing a firearm at another person, a Level 6 felony.
An arrest warrant has been issued for Staten. Reports published October 1 said she had not yet been arrested at that time.
If convicted of both charges, Staten could face a combined maximum of up to 8½ years in prison, according to local reports. However, being charged does not mean she has been convicted, and the allegations against her still have to be proven in court.
The case has drawn attention because what allegedly started as an argument over a child playing with a store toy escalated into a situation involving a firearm and threats against employees.
For the workers inside the Indianapolis store, what may have started as an ordinary attempt to enforce a store policy allegedly became a much more serious situation — one that is now playing out in the criminal justice system.
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