HOBART, Ind. (AP) — A northwest Indiana father will have his first court hearing in the case involving the accidental shooting death of his 9-year-old daughter.
The Post-Tribune reports that 33-year-old Eric Hummel of Hobart was charged earlier this month with neglect of a dependent resulting in death, battery resulting in death to a person less than 14 years old, reckless homicide and two counts of neglect of a dependent.
Authorities say Hummel was teaching his sons not to play with guns on June 10. He pulled the trigger on his semi-automatic handgun, not realizing it was loaded, and shot his daughter. She later died at a nearby hospital.
Hummel's attorney Paul Stracci says the idea Hummel knowingly endangered his children is "ridiculous." Stracci says Hummel plans to plead not guilty Wednesday.
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Information from: Post-Tribune.