A 4-year-old boy was killed after finding a handgun that authorities said had been left accessible inside the family home.
NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. — An Indiana man was sentenced Friday to 23 years in prison, with three years suspended, after pleading guilty in connection with the death of his 4-year-old son, who was fatally shot in 2025 after finding an unsecured handgun in the family’s apartment.
The sentence closes one chapter in a case that drew attention across northern Indiana and raised questions about firearm storage in homes with children. Nathan Stanley, 27, admitted guilt to neglect of a dependent following the death of his son, Charlie Stanley. Prosecutors said the child gained access to a loaded handgun that had been left outside a safe. The boy’s mother, Mikayla Stanley, faces a separate neglect charge and is scheduled for trial next month.
Authorities said the shooting happened May 30, 2025, at an apartment complex on Clear Creek Trail in North Manchester. Emergency responders arrived after reports of a child suffering a gunshot wound and found Charlie critically injured. He was pronounced dead at the scene. According to court records, a family member had been watching Charlie and his younger brother while the parents were away. The caregiver was changing the younger child’s diaper while Charlie played near a bedside table. Investigators said the caregiver did not realize a handgun had been left among the items within the boy’s reach. Moments before the shooting, Charlie reportedly picked up the object and said, “Oh, a flashlight,” according to information later included in court filings. The gun discharged and struck him in the torso. The parents returned to the apartment around the time of the shooting, and investigators began examining how the weapon had been stored.
Documents filed in the case said the handgun involved was a Canik 9mm pistol. Investigators alleged that Nathan Stanley had gone shooting several days before the incident and left the firearm accessible inside the residence rather than securing it in a safe. Court records indicated that additional firearms were also present outside secured storage. Authorities said the family had previously been involved with a child safety plan that emphasized the importance of keeping weapons locked and inaccessible to children. Statements attributed to family members became part of the investigation. Prosecutors said Mikayla Stanley told investigators she frequently reminded her husband to lock up his guns. Investigators also reported that she immediately suspected one of his firearms was involved when she learned of the shooting. While many facts of the case were established through witness statements and physical evidence, some details about the exact moments before the gun discharged remain known only through accounts provided afterward.
The case unfolded amid continuing national discussions about accidental shootings involving children and unsecured firearms. Child safety advocates and law enforcement agencies have repeatedly warned that young children are naturally curious and may not recognize the danger posed by a firearm. Investigators in this case emphasized that Charlie was playing in what appeared to be a normal household setting when he encountered the handgun. His death became a devastating example of how quickly a routine day can turn fatal when a weapon is left within reach. Family members described Charlie as an energetic and affectionate child who enjoyed spending time with his younger brother. His obituary portrayed him as a bright child who loved picture books and often pretended to read stories aloud. Friends and relatives remembered him as cheerful and eager to interact with those around him, making the circumstances of his death especially painful for the community.
The criminal proceedings moved forward over the course of the past year. Nathan Stanley ultimately entered a guilty plea to neglect of a dependent, avoiding a trial on the charge. During Friday’s sentencing hearing, the court imposed a 23-year sentence, with three years suspended. That leaves 20 years to be served under the terms announced by the judge. Prosecutors argued that the death was preventable and resulted from a failure to secure firearms despite known risks inside a home with young children. The legal case is not yet completely resolved. Mikayla Stanley, 26, remains charged with neglect of a dependent. Court records show she is expected to stand trial next month. The outcome of that case could determine whether additional criminal responsibility is assigned in connection with Charlie’s death.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting continue to resonate with those who knew the family. Neighbors and relatives described the loss as heartbreaking, particularly because Charlie was so young. The brief statement he reportedly made before picking up the weapon became one of the most memorable details to emerge from the investigation. Family members have spoken publicly about their grief and the lasting impact of the tragedy. Court filings and memorial tributes painted a picture of a child who enjoyed simple activities and shared a close bond with his younger sibling. Even as the criminal proceedings advanced, the focus for many remained on the life that was lost. The sentencing hearing brought a measure of legal closure, but it also renewed attention on the events that led to Charlie’s death and the consequences that followed for everyone involved.
As of Friday, Nathan Stanley has been sentenced and the criminal case against him has largely concluded. Attention now turns to the pending trial of Mikayla Stanley, which is scheduled for next month. That proceeding is expected to be the next major milestone in the legal aftermath of the shooting.
Author note: Last updated June 7, 2026.