Father Charged With Involuntary Manslaughter After Toddler Shoots Himself Dead

Three-year-old Elijah Abreu Borgen accidentally shot himself dead after finding a loaded semi-automatic handgun, per prosecutorsPhoto byScreenshot: Gofundme

An eastern Pennsylvania man has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of a 3-year-old boy who authorities say shot himself with a handgun left unattended last month.

Jose Hilario Abreu, 28, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, was arraigned with bail set at $250,000 cash, on the charge as well as two counts of child endangerment in the March 28 death of Elijah Abreu Borgen. He was committed to the Lehigh County Jail.

Lehigh County prosecutors accuse Abreu of leaving gun, said to be a Glock 19, unattended and fully loaded with a live cartridge in the chamber while the victim and a two-year-old child were present.

Prosecutors allege that Abreu said he placed the gun under the sofa the two toddlers were sitting on and left the room, then heard a loud bang and returned to find Elijah with a gunshot wound to the chest.

When the gun discharged, investigators said, it ‘was unholstered and resting atop of a pillow on the couch where both toddlers were sitting.’

The tot allegedly found the loaded gun under the couch at his family’s Allentown, Pa., home.Photo byNBC Philadelphia

On the day of the shocking incident, a woman called 911 reporting that her son had shot himself in the chest.

Police responded to the woman’s home on the 900 block of Hamilton Street where they found the little boy suffering from a gun wound, NBC reports.

Elijah was rushed to Lehigh Valley Hospital Cedar Crest but died of a gunshot wound to the torso, investigators said. His death was ruled accidental.

Prosecutors said a rapid gunshot residue test performed after the child’s death yielded a ‘presumptive positive indication’ of gunshot residue on his hands.

Court documents indicate that he is being represented by the county public defender’s office.

When the gun discharged, investigators said, it 'was unholstered and resting atop of a pillow on the couch where both toddlers were sitting.Photo byGoFund Page

A touching tribute to Elijah was shared on a GoFundMe page set up to help with the boy’s funeral costs, describing the tot as a ‘smart, loving little boy’.

‘He loved his animals collections especially his dinosaurs. He has made a huge impact in our lives in short time he was with us,’ it says on the page, set up by his aunt.

Rep. Josh Siegel said that Elijah’s death was ‘entirely preventable,’ and urged others to “Be a good parent, a responsible gun owner and store your damn guns responsibly for the sake of your family.”

Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk said in the wake of the boy’s death: “My heart goes out to his family as they grapple with something that is truly impossible to comprehend.”

“The details are still coming together, but one thing that I understand clearly is that a gun is at the center of the story. I’m urging everyone in Allentown to take all necessary action to protect our community from harm. Enough is enough.”

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Allentown man charged after 3-year-old son accidentally shoots, kills himself, DA says
A man now faces charges after his 3-year-old son grabbed his loaded gun and accidentally shot and killed himself in…www.nbcphiladelphia.com

Dad charged after 3-year-old son fatally shoots himself with loaded gun left under couch
Jose Hilario Abreu, 28, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment in the accidental…nypost.com

Allentown man charged with involuntary manslaughter in 3-year-old boy's shooting death
A Pennsylvania man has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of a 3-year-old boy who authorities say…6abc.com

Donate to In Loving Memory of Elijah, organized by Yaileen Baez Giron
Hi everyone , with the saddens of my heart I'm writing this short message about my nephe... Yaileen Baez Giron needs…www.gofundme.com