NORRISTOWN, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — In a deal with prosecutors, a Plymouth Meeting man will spend six months in jail for the death of a 7-year-old girl who fell out of the back of his pick-up truck.
Andres Marin, 48, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to 6-to-24 months in Montgomery County Correctional Facility as part of an agreement with prosecutors.
On Aug. 22, 2023, Marin drove five kids from his Plymouth Meeting neighborhood in the back of his Subaru Sambar, a small pickup truck with low sidewalls. Seven-year-old Sloane Kwartnik was leaning over the side when she fell out, and as Marin made a turn, she was run over and killed.
Her father, James Kwartnik, called the six-month prison sentence “gravely inadequate,” asking Montgomery County Judge Risa Ferman to reject the plea to give his daughter justice.
Prosecutor Ed McCann says they worked out a fair and just sentence, reflecting Marin’s poor judgment but also taking into account Marin’s character and remorse.
“Striking that balance is really difficult,” he said. “It's not so clear cut in terms of somebody's intent, or calling someone evil, like that's not an evil man that did this.”
Marin says he’ll forever be haunted by his decision to take the kids for a ride and will live each day knowing the pain he’s caused the girl’s family and friends.