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A woman from Newaygo Co. accused in accidental gun death of grandson takes plea deal – 9&10 News
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A woman from Newaygo Co. accused in accidental gun death of grandson takes plea deal – 9&10 News

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WHITE CLOUD (AP) — 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 on April 1 when a 6-year-old cousin gained access to a loaded shotgun at Theresa Robart’s Newaygo County home. 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 the storage law violation. 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.