MILFORD -- Chad Olm admitted in court Thursday that he took the life of his 10-year-old nephew while showing him a handgun last May near Dingman's Ferry.
The boy's father was in court and both men are pleading with gun owners to let this be a cautionary tale of what can happen if you're not handling firearms safely.
Chad Olm left the Pike County Courthouse in Milford with a lot to say about his role in the death of his 10-year-old nephew Hunter Pedersen.
"I'm sorry. I wish I could take his place," Olm said. "I think everyone should pay attention, don't let kids touch them, don't let any kid touch it."
Hunter's father Robert was in court to watch as the boy's uncle pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter. It's the first time he would see the man who unintentionally took his son's life.
"It's my brother-in-law, you know? I've known him since a little boy. He would have never done anything like this on purpose. I love him," Pederson said.
But prosecutors say a momentary lapse in gun safety at the boy's grandparents' home near Dingman's Ferry in May of 2014 proved deadly, while Olm was showing the boys how the gun's laser sight works. And now the family will have to cope with not just one loss, but the fact that Chad Olm will likely serve time behind bars.
"Just a big accident, nothing can take back my son, I can't get him back. It's hard on the whole family," Pederson added.
"Handling guns, it's a gun issue. Handling guns around children, I wind up talking to you guys," said Olm's attorney Michael Weinstein.
Now, Hunter's father has a message for gun owners out there, in hopes that no one has to experience what his family has.
"Don't ever pull guns out around kids. You shouldn't have your guns around kids," he said.
Chad Olm pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment, and endangering the welfare of a child. His sentencing is scheduled for April.
