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A Michigan woman accused in the accidental shooting death of her grandson takes a plea deal
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A Michigan woman accused in the accidental shooting death of her grandson takes a plea deal

WHITE CLOUD, Mich. — A 65-year-old woman accused of violating Michigan’s new gun storage law in the death of her grandson pleaded no contest Tuesday to another charge and is unlikely to face prison time.

Braxton Dykstra, 5, was shot and killed April 1 when a 6-year-old cousin gained access to a loaded shotgun at Theresa Robart’s home in western Michigan’s Newaygo County. Another child witnessed the shooting.

Robart’s husband, Karl Robart, was recently sentenced to more than three years in prison after pleading no contest to violating the storage law. The rifle belonged to him.

Firearms must be locked up when children are present. The consequences of a violation depend on the details and whether someone is injured or killed.

Theresa Robart pleaded no contest to second-degree child abuse. The Newaygo County District Attorney will not recommend a prison sentence when he returns to court, WOOD-TV reported.

At least 21 states have criminal laws related to failing to keep a gun away from children, according to the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence.