KION - Monterey, Salinas, Santa Cruz - News WeatherCouple gets jail time in toddler shooting accident
Member Center:
Associated Press - July 30, 2010 6:14 PM ET
VACAVILLE, Calif. (AP) - A Vacaville couple whose 8-year-old son fatally shot their toddler with a handgun that was lying on the bed will serve jail time for the death.
A Solano County judge ordered Michael and Daniela Shanahan to serve 275 days in jail, four years of probation and 200 hours of community service. They also must each pay a $200 fine.
In March, Daniela Shanahan pleaded guilty to child endangerment, and her husband pleaded no contest to criminal storage of a firearm.
Authorities say the boy found the untended handgun on Sept. 23 and accidentally fired it, hitting 2-year-old Ayana once.
Defense attorneys had argued against jail time, saying the couple were remorseful and grief-stricken.
But Judge Wendy Getty said Friday that the shooting was a "totally preventable tragedy."
Information from: The Reporter, http://www.thereporter.com
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
