The child’s father brought her to the hospital after a family member noticed the girl limping and in severe pain.

Shanquisha Lashay Upshaw, 23, was arrested and the state Department of Children and Families is investigating the alleged neglect.

“We have opened a child protection investigation into this concerning incident,” said Natalie Harrell, communications director, SunCoast Region, Florida Department of Children and Families.

Fort Myers police originally responded to Lee Memorial Hospital on June 16 in reference to a child suffering from a possible gunshot wound to the leg.

X-rays confirmed the gunshot wound with the projectile still lodged in her right foot.

On Monday Upshaw was arrested by the Fort Myers police for felony aggravated child neglect.

Fort Myers police investigators determined the child shot herself while playing with a handgun sometime between May 31 and June 7, while the child and Upshaw were staying at a friend’s residence on Pauldo Street in the city.

Upshaw, according to police reports, knew there was a firearm at the residence and that it was not properly secured and was easily accessible by her daughter. Initially, Upshaw told friends and family members that the child had injured her knee while playing at the park.

It wasn’t until Upshaw finally agreed to turn over the child to her father, two weeks after the incident, that the child was taken to receive care.

“It is incomprehensible to imagine how a parent would allow any child to suffer for weeks with such a severe injury,” said Lt. Jay Rodriguez of the FMPD Special Operations Bureau. “The father and family of this innocent victim should be commended for taking immediate action upon recognizing the child sustained a serious injury and was in excruciating pain.”

Upshaw remains in Lee County Jail on $10,000 bail and will be arraigned July 31.