Sequels of ’95 : Getting a Second Chance and Running With It

The morning of April 12, every parent’s worst nightmare came true for Dennis and Robin Schilling of La Habra Heights. Their son, Brandon, 11, found his dad’s revolver under a bed, loaded it and accidentally shot his sister, Samantha, 2 1/2, in the head. At the time, the children were in the care of the baby sitter. (“A Gun, a Child, a Second Chance,” May 5.)

Today, Dennis Schilling says, Samantha is about 90% recovered after months of physical therapy. Some weakness on her left side and a little limp remain, but her mental skills are not impaired. Nor is there psychological damage.

“I don’t think she ever knew what happened,” says her father, adding: “She’s not any more--or any less--demanding on Mom and Dad than she was before. And she’s as warm and loving as she ever was with her brother.”

Brandon, who has had counseling, is doing fine. Both Robin and Dennis have returned full time to their jobs as middle managers at a South Bay aerospace firm. And the baby sitter is still with the family.

The revolver--together with Dennis’ other guns--remain in possession of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, which investigated the shooting. No charges were filed.

When the guns are returned, Dennis says he’ll dispose of all but an heirloom rifle, which he’ll modify so it won’t fire. “We’re not going to have any operational guns anymore.”

When Samantha pulled through, Robin figured God was saying, “We’re going to give you guys one more chance.” They seized it.