Indy Mom Discovers Loaded Gun in Used Car She Purchased

A Mother’s Shocking Discovery in a Used Car

An Indianapolis mother recently experienced a terrifying situation after purchasing a used car. Her 6-year-old daughter stumbled upon a loaded gun hidden under one of the seats, just over a week after the purchase. This incident has left the family shaken and questioning how such a dangerous item could have ended up in their vehicle.

The incident occurred on a Saturday when Danielle Harlan and her daughter, Noellah, were heading to a gas station. As Noellah prepared to get into the car, she noticed something unusual. “She leaned in here and said, ‘Mommy, I see something,’” Harlan recalled. What she found was a gun, which she held up for her mother to see.

Harlan admitted that she was not familiar with guns and initially wasn’t sure if it was real or not. However, the sight of a weapon in her daughter's hand was enough to send chills down her spine. The discovery came just 11 days after she purchased the car from Hubler Toyota, a timeline that aligns with documents from Assurant Vehicle Care that Harlan shared.

After taking the gun from her daughter, Harlan called the police. According to the police report, the weapon was a semi-automatic pistol with 12 rounds in the magazine. The potential danger of the situation is clear—Harlan emphasized that no one was hurt, but the risk was very real. “My daughter could’ve died, I could’ve died, a random stranger could’ve died,” she said.

This incident has left Harlan with many questions, particularly about how the gun ended up in the car. She believes that once a vehicle leaves the dealership and the paperwork is signed, it should be thoroughly checked. “If it goes off the lot and the papers have been signed, I feel it should be thoroughly checked,” she said.

After speaking with the police, Harlan met with a manager from the dealership. The manager explained that the previous owner had bought the car and returned it just a day or two before Harlan took possession. “Who buys a car, has it for 24 hours and then is like nope, never mind?” Harlan questioned. She also raised concerns about whether the gun could have been used in a crime.

The manager told Harlan that he decided not to inspect the car because it had only been driven 35 miles. “He felt that since it had only been driven 35 miles, there was no need to do a detail on it,” Harlan said. To her surprise, the manager mentioned that this was not the first time a gun had been found in a used car. “If it’s happened before, why are we not doing the extra work to make sure it never happens again?” she asked.

FOX59/CBS4 spoke with the used car manager, who acknowledged meeting with Harlan but declined to comment further. Harlan expressed her desire to return the car, but she is stuck with it due to the need for a second vehicle. “We need a second car, but this car scares me. I don’t know what’s in it,” she said.

The local police department was contacted for more information about the incident and whether the gun could be linked to any recent crimes, but they did not respond. This ongoing uncertainty adds to the stress and concern that Harlan and her family are experiencing.

As the story unfolds, it highlights the importance of thorough inspections when purchasing a used vehicle. It also raises questions about the responsibility of dealerships to ensure the safety of their customers. For now, Harlan is left dealing with the emotional and practical challenges of owning a car that feels unsafe.