Man charged for allegedly shooting and killing toddler while cleaning his gun

Henry Bartle has been charged with criminally negligent homicide

A man has been charged with shooting a seven-month-old baby dead after his gun went off as he cleaned it. Henry Bartle, who lives with his girlfriend Selena Hitt - the mother of the child - allegedly had the 12-gauge shotgun on his lap with the barrel pointing at the tot when the tragedy happened. After loading the firearm and fitting an accessory grip, the 18-year-old attempted to stand up. As he did the gun went off hitting Nathaniel who was just a few feet away, the Mirror reports.
The incident was witnessed by the mother and another man who had been visiting their home in Rome, New York.
Rome police Captain Tim Bates said: "We are comfortable and confident and clear in stating that there is no indication that this was intentional at all.
"[Bartle] had gone hunting the day before and decided to clean his gun in the presence of others in the living room."
Nathaniel was hit in the upper chest and died immediately from his injuries. Bartle is being held at the Oneida County Correctional Facility after being charged with criminally negligent homicide. Selena's father Gary Muntz said: "The whole thing that gets me is why would he reload it (the shotgun) in the house.