POOLER — A soldier has been charged after authorities say his 2-year-old daughter fatally shot herself with a gun left on his nightstand.

Pooler police say 24-year-old Joshua Henry faces charges of reckless endangerment and contributing to the deprivation of a minor.

Police say Cheyanne Henry was asleep in her father's bedroom early July 5. When Henry awoke, he found his housemate had returned from duty in Afghanistan around 3 a.m. Police say the two men were talking whne they heard a gunshot from the bedroom.

Police say the girl woke up and found her father's handgun on the nightstand. She died from a single gunshot wound to the chest.

Police say the shooting is tragic, but they had an obligation to file charges.

Henry was released on bond Thursday evening.