MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A 44-year-old Milwaukee man is accused of child neglect after investigators say an 11-year-old boy fatally shot himself while in his care. Prosecutors filed charges against Christopher Taper Friday, and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

Jamie Campbell identified herself as the boy's mother at the home where the shooting happened.

Court records say police were called the home near N. 60th St. and W. Silver Spring shortly after 9:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17.

Campbell says she left her son, identified as Samare' Heard, in the care of her longtime boyfriend, Taper.

Campbell said she left for her third-shift job at a food manufacturer in West Bend. While on the road, she said Taper called her to say Heard had accidentally shot himself in the head.

Campbell said she called her sister, who lives nearby, and asked her to rush to their home. According to police, the sister arrived and "was shocked to see that there were no police lights or emergency vehicles on scene."

Police added the sister "could not believe that [Taper] 'left him alone to die.'”

When investigators went inside, they found Heard dead from the single gunshot wound to the forehead. 

Taper has been charged with the following: 

• Neglecting a child, consequence is death
• Possession of a firearm by a felon
• Bail jumping (two counts) 

Campbell told a CBS 58 reporter Friday she wasn't ready to speak on camera, but she shared several pictures of Heard.

She said her son's nickname was "Big 'Mare," a play on his small physical stature, but also a nod to his maturity. Heard had won a spelling bee last year, and he tackled everyday tasks like laundry and pumping gas.

Campbell said she's now pleading for Taper to turn himself in. Court records show Taper was convicted of armed robbery in 2008 and sentenced to three years in prison. He has an open drug case in Racine County from 2023.

Campbell said Heard turned 11 just two weeks ago on August 7. She said at the boy's birthday celebration, he said his wish was to be older.