Bronx Boy Hospitalized After Accidentally Shooting Self; Father Charged

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A 5-year-old Bronx boy remains hospitalized after police say he accidentally shot himself, and the boy's father is under arrest after sources say he initially made up a story as to how it happened when questioned by police.

The incident happened at around 11 a.m. Friday inside the St. Mary's Park Houses, located at 645 Westchester Avenue in Morrisania.

Police say the boy accidentally shot himself with a gun.

The boy is in stable condition at Lincoln Hospital.

Sources say the boy's father was in bed with his wife and heard a pop come from a bedroom.

Sources say police were notified when the boy's father, identified as Daniel Pantoja, 33, was pulled over for talking on his cellphone while transporting his son to the hospital.

Sources say Pantoja initially told officers the boy, identified as Daniel Pantoja Jr., 5, was shot during a robbery.

Upon their arrival at Lincoln Hospital, sources say the father's story began to unravel and that he later admitted to making the story up.

Sources say the father then admitted he put the gun into a bag and placed it in the back of the SUV before bringing the boy to the hospital.

The boy's father is charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the second and fourth degree, as well as acting in a manner injurious to a child under 17.

Both the NYPD and the Administration for Children's Services are investigating the incident.