US couple arrested after video shows handgun in toddler's mouth

A US couple has been charged with child neglect after police found mobile phone footage showing the woman's 12-month-old son playing with a .40 caliber handgun and putting the muzzle in his mouth.

The couple allegedly is even heard instructing the toddler to make sounds like the weapon was firing.

Police in Evansville, Indiana, said they found the footage on the phone of 19-year-old Michael Barnes after he was arrested for agreeing to sell a handgun to an undercover officer through a transaction on social media.

After looking at the footage, the officers also decided to arrest the toddler's mother, Toni Wilson, 22, who was allegedly present while the videos were being recorded.

"Barnes can be heard telling the child to say 'pow' on multiple occasions while the child plays with the gun," police said in a statement.

"At no point does Barnes try to stop the child from playing with the gun."

It is not clear if the gun was loaded.

Barnes and Wilson were charged with child neglect, criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon and allowing a child to possess a firearm, police said.

The infant boy and the couple's one-month-old twins have been removed from the home and placed into emergency care.