Dad arrested after leaving 11-year-old daughter with loaded gun while he had his head tattooed

An Albuquerque dad is in trouble after police said he left a loaded gun with his 11-year-old daughter recently, telling her to use it for protection.



John Ruiz was getting a tattoo on his head when he left the girl alone with the gun. Police said a nervous neighbour called officers after spotting the child with the pistol by her side while she was hanging out at an apartment complex swimming pool in northeast Albuquerque this past weekend.

The girl told investigators her dad said the gun is there in case someone breaks in. She said he keeps it on the counter or under his pillow. Neighbours, who requested anonymity, said they just want to make sure the gun stays out of the hands of a child.


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Ruiz, 41, told police his daughter is not supposed to take the gun out of the house, but admitted she’s done that in the past. He’s been charged with endangering a child’s life or health and was released from jail on a $15,000 bond. The girl is still in his custody and the Children, Youth and Families Department is investigating the case.