NEW BRAUNFELS – New Braunfels police said an 8-year-old girl brought a loaded gun to school Tuesday.

The student at County Line Elementary school found the weapon when she opened her bag to start the school day. Police say she immediately told her teacher, who then gave the bag to campus administration. The school administrators then called police.

According to New Braunfels police, the student’s parents say they accidentally left the gun in the child’s bag during a recent move.

“The parent took full responsibility for the incident and, because there was no intent to commit any other offenses, they were issued a citation for making a firearm accessible to a child, which is a Class C Misdemeanor,” David Ferguson, communications coordinator for NBPD, said in a statement.

Police say other children never saw the gun and students were “likely unaware” that it was ever on campus.

NBPD cautioned all gun owners about the need to keep firearms secured and away from children.