PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — An Allentown man is facing involuntary manslaughter charges after his toddler allegedly got a hold of his gun and shot himself last week.
Just before noon on March 28, Lehigh County officials responding to a 911 call found 3-year-old Elijah Abreu Borgen suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest.
He was taken to a nearby hospital where he later died. The Lehigh County coroner ruled his death accidental.
Investigators say his father, 28-year-old Jose Hilario Abreu, had a loaded semi-automatic handgun in the home and placed it under the sofa where Elijah and a 2-year-old were sitting, then left the room.
From the other room, he says he heard a loud bang and returned to find Elijah suffering from a gunshot wound.
Investigators say when the gun was discharged it was unholstered and resting on top of a pillow on the couch where the kids were sitting.
A preliminary test performed on Elijah after his death detected gunshot residue on his hands.
In addition to involuntary manslaughter, Abreu faces child endangerment charges. An arraignment is scheduled for April 12.