The mother of a 10-year-old girl killed in an accidental shooting on Monday has been arrested on meth trafficking charges after authorities found drugs in her possession, Aiken County officials said.
Amalia Nicole Beltran, 32, was not the person handling the rifle when her daughter, Miyah Harp, was accidentally shot in the chest. However, during the investigation into the shooting, officers discovered a large amount of methamphetamine, leading to Beltran’s arrest on Tuesday.
Beltran already has a pending case for meth distribution and possession of controlled substances. She was arrested in early July, spent a week in jail, and was released on a $8,000 bond. That case remains unresolved.
The investigation into Monday’s shooting continues, but authorities have not yet named who was holding the rifle when Miyah was shot.
Aiken County Coroner Darryl Ables confirmed that Miyah Harp died from a gunshot wound to the chest at a home on the 300 block of Wendy Lane. The shooting was reported at around 9:57 p.m. Monday, and deputies arrived to find the girl with a gunshot wound. Deputies administered initial aid until emergency medical personnel arrived, but Miyah was pronounced dead on the scene at 11:13 p.m.
Preliminary investigations suggest a family member was handling a small-caliber rifle when it was accidentally discharged, striking Miyah. The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office and Coroner’s Office are continuing the investigation, and an autopsy will be conducted in Newberry.
Beltran remained in the Aiken County Detention Center on Tuesday.
