Charges of child neglect and disorderly conduct were filed against James (Jamie) Odegard, 31, of Wilton after accusations that he shot two small children with an airsoft gun.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department reports Odegard was alone with a 6-year-old and 3-year-old July 11 and used an airsoft pistol to shoot both children. When the children’s mother brought them to the sheriff’s department five days later, the 3-year-old told police Odegard shot him at least twice. The child had bruises on his lower back and stomach.
The 6-year-old also had bruises on his torso. The boy told police he didn’t know why Odegard had shot him, but he had continued to do so after the boy asked him to stop.
Odegard admitted to shooting the children with the airsoft gun, but said it was an accident.
Odegard is further accused of leaving the two children alone with a 15-month-old child. Odegard left the three children alone when he went to a gas station July 14, even though the youngest child had a history of seizures and required medication.
Odegard told police he thought it would be okay because they were asleep, and he had planned to return in 15 minutes.
An initial appearance is scheduled for Aug. 4 in Monroe County Court.