ROCKFORD — A 2-year-old Rockton girl was struck in the eye by a bullet Thursday night, her father said, after she stuck it into the car charger port in his truck, according to the Winnebago County Sheriff's Department.

The girl's father, Jimmy Hurn of Rockton, told first responders the bullet discharged in the port and struck her in the eye, Sheriff's Department spokesman Ken DeCoster said.

Deputies were called to assist the Shirland Fire Department at 7:40 p.m. Hurn told first responders he was on his way to the fire department with his daughter. He told police the incident occurred at their rural residence in the 16000 block of Cannell Road.

The toddler was transported to Rockford Memorial Hospital and then to University Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin, where she was in surgery Thursday night, DeCoster said. Her condition was not immediately available.

DeCoster said the incident remains under investigation.

Georgette Braun: 815-987-1331; gbraun@rrstar.com; @GeorgetteBraun