Tragedy struck a Pennsylvania family when a 3-year-old boy lost his life after accidentally shooting himself with a loaded handgun left unattended under a couch. Jose Hilario Abreu, 28, now faces charges of involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment in connection with the incident, according to officials.
The heartbreaking event unfolded on March 28, resulting in the death of Elijah Abreu Borgen. Abreu was arraigned on Friday, April 5, following an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his son's death.
Prosecutors allege that Abreu left a semi-automatic handgun, containing a live cartridge in the chamber, unattended under the sofa where his son and a 2-year-old child were seated in their Allentown home.
Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan described the chilling sequence of events, stating that after Abreu left the room, a loud bang was heard, prompting his return to find his son with a gunshot wound to the chest.
The handgun, unholstered and resting on a pillow atop the couch where the toddlers were seated, discharged accidentally, officials revealed.
Emergency services were summoned after Elijah's mother dialed 911 upon discovering her son's injury. Despite efforts to save him, the toddler succumbed to his injuries at Lehigh Valley Hospital Cedar Crest. His death was ruled accidental.
Further investigation revealed the firearm positioned on the sofa, pointing towards Elijah, with gunshot residue detected on the toddler's hands.
Abreu, following his arraignment, was remanded to jail on a $250,000 bond.
Reacting to the tragic incident, Representative Josh Siegel (D-Allentown) emphasized the preventable nature of Elijah's death, urging responsible gun ownership and proper storage practices. "Be a good parent, a responsible gun owner, and store your damn guns responsibly for the sake of your family," Siegel stated in a poignant message.
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