Man arrested after 3-year-old was shot in the arm

PHOENIX (FOX 10) -- An arrest has been made, after a three-year-old was shot in the arm inside a Phoenix apartment. The shooting happened more than a week ago, and as of Monday, the child is still in the hospital.

26-year-old Chris Vanaller knew he had a problem right away, because according to police documents, just minutes after his girlfriend's son, Isaiah was wounded when a handgun went off in his apartment, he sent a text to her saying:

"Please don't say my name or it was me. Please tell them that it was someone at the park you met. Please don't tell them my name or where I live babe. I'll go to prison for a long time babe, so please don't tell them it was me babe. I'm so sorry. I hope he's OK."

Vanaller allegedly sent the text, because since November of 2016, he has been on probation for a variety of charges, ranging from shoplifting to drug possession. Vanaller knew he could have a weapon.

Court documents also show that he pleaded with his girlfriend to not call 911, and say it was someone at the park.

No one answered the door at the apartment unit at 35th Avenue and Dunlap where it happened. On Friday, Vanaller was located and arrested without incident.

According to court documents, Vanaller has been charged with a count of aggravated assault, a count of reckless child abuse, a count of weapons possession by a prohibited person, and a count of witness tampering.