BY CARMELLA MATALONI of WNEP-TV
Ryan Koch, 23, of Chestnuthill Township, was charged in 2017 with involuntary manslaughter after his son got his hands on a loaded gun and shot himself.
A Monroe County judge sentenced Koch to one to two years in Monroe County prison with three years of probation.
In June of 2017, Koch's son, 4-year-old Bentley Koch, shot himself in the face at their home along Ash Lane near Brodheadsville.
Ryan Koch was charged with involuntary manslaughter in October of 2017 after he admitted he might have left a bullet in the chamber after smoking marijuana. He pleaded guilty in August.
Koch had full custody of his son at the time of his death and told his attorney, "If I didn't have a gun in that house, I would still have my son."
The boy's mother, Alexis Antonini from Mount Pocono, says this was a tragic accident.
"It was very tragic and an accident and I know he didn't mean for that to happen."
"Nobody is a winner here today. It's a tragedy and the judge understood that. She was very fair," said defense attorney Tom Sundmaker.
The victim's mother says the death of her son should be a lesson to all gun owners.
"Keep your guns locked up," Antonini advised.
The judge told Koch that this was a "tragic, tragic accident but it was based on criminal negligence."
"It was difficult to watch. He doesn't deserve to go to jail. I don't want to see him go to jail, but they had to do what they had to do," Antonini said.
