Michigan woman charged in grandson’s accidental gun death makes plea deal

WHITE CLOUD, Michigan — A 65-year-old woman is suspected of trespassing Michigan’s new gun storage law She pleaded no contest Tuesday to another charge in her grandson’s death and is unlikely to face jail time.

Braxton Dykstra, 5, was shot dead on April 1 when a 6-year-old nephew gained access to a loaded shotgun at Theresa Robart’s home in Newaygo County, western Michigan. 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 shotgun was his.

Firearms must be stored 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 Prosecutor will not recommend a prison sentence when she returns to court. WOOD-TV reported.

According to the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, at least 21 states have criminal laws related to keeping a gun out of the reach of children.