Once Upon a Child workers told a mom her toddler couldn’t ride the store’s toy car, and police say she pulled a gun as he kept riding behind her

A 21-year-old Indianapolis woman is facing felony charges after allegedly pulling a handgun on employees at a Once Upon a Child store during a dispute over her toddler playing with a toy car. Tamya Staten was charged this week in Marion County with intimidation and pointing a firearm, and she could face up to 8.5 years in prison if convicted on both counts.

As detailed by FOX59, employees at the store’s 86th Street location triggered a silent holdup alarm on July 16. Court documents state that Staten had come to the shop to sell clothing and brought her toddler with her.

While an employee processed the items, the child began playing with a motorized toy car on the floor. The employee told Staten that playing with store toys was against company policy, and Staten initially responded “okay,” according to the documents.

Things allegedly escalated fast once the rule was repeated

The employee said the child kept using the toy, so the rule was repeated. Court records allege that Staten then pulled a large black handgun from her purse, tucked it into her leggings, and poked an employee in the face.

Staten allegedly told the worker, “We can fight about it. We can get down,” before adding, “I can use this [gun].” The employee reported that she grew increasingly angry and eventually pulled the weapon from her leggings, pointing it toward staff members.

The documents also state that Staten continued to encourage her child to keep playing with the toy and showed the toddler how it worked. She then allegedly placed the gun back into her leggings, gathered her child, and left the store.

Investigators identified Staten as the suspect because she had given her identification card to staff while dropping off clothes. Police say store surveillance footage captured the incident, and her license plate number was used to confirm she left in a 2011 Jeep Patriot. The case surfaced amid the same news cycle as a viral Walmart butter price complaint.

Charges were filed Tuesday in Marion Superior Court 31, including a Level 5 felony for intimidation with a deadly weapon and a Level 6 felony for pointing a firearm at another person. Online court records show a warrant has been issued for her arrest, and Staten has not publicly responded to the allegations.