FORT WAYNE, IN (WPTA) – This from 21alivenews.com: The father of a 4-year-old North Manchester boy who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound last year is taking a plea deal.
Nathan Stanley was charged alongside his wife, Mikayla Stanley, in their son’s death, each with two counts of neglect of a dependent.
Less than a month after the boy’s May 30 death, the Stanleys were arrested.
A family member was watching the couple’s two young boys when the eldest son died, court documents show. The woman said she was about to change the younger boy’s diaper in the Stanleys’ bedroom when she heard the 4-year-old say “Oh, a flashlight,” and turned to see what he had.
She then heard the gun go off. The boy died at the scene from a gunshot wound to the torso and his death was ruled a homicide.
Police said when the parents arrived back at the home, Mikayla Stanley asked police if it had something to do with her husband’s guns, adding that he was “always leaving them out,” court records say. Nathan Stanley allegedly told police he believed he had three handguns, a shotgun and possibly a .22 rifle in his bedroom, all outside of a safe.
Nathan Stanley said he took several guns, including the Canik 9mm believed to have killed his son, shooting five days before the 4-year-old died, adding that he did not secure them back in their cases afterward, court documents show. He added that he had a safety plan with the Department of Child Services for guns.
Mikayla Stanley told police she would periodically move her husband’s guns when she saw them out and that she was “always getting onto Nathan about locking his guns up,” court records show. She said he would often leave guns on the kitchen counter as well.
Online court records show Nathan Stanley pleaded guilty to neglect of a dependent resulting in death. The charge carries a potential 40-year prison sentence, but the plea agreement calls for him to spend no more than 25 years in prison.
It leaves his sentence up to the judge.
Mikayla Stanley is set to go to trial in July.
