ATHENS COUNTY, Ohio — On Friday, a Nelsonville man was found guilty in connection with the death of an 11-year-old child.
Athens County Prosecutor Keller Blackburn said Donald Platt, 37, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and felony child endangerment.
In March of last year, Platt’s 14-year-old son, officials say, accidentally fired a gun, killing another child.
The son, Mason Platt, admitted to police that he was playing with the loaded firearm when it went off, killing young Eli Spangler.
The charges against the boy’s father stem from the accessibility the teen had to the loaded gun.
Blackburn said following today’s conviction, “Eli’s voice was heard again, and justice was delivered by 12 of Mr. Platt’s peers.”
Sentencing for Donald Platt will be March 22. He faces several years in prison.
