Boy, four, picked up gun and shot himself dead as stepdad is jailed for eight years

Published: 11:50 EDT, 11 October 2026 | Updated: 11:50 EDT, 11 October 2026

A Maine stepdad whose four-year-old son picked up an unsecured handgun and fatally shot himself was sentenced to eight years in prison Friday.

Robert McCoy, 37, was in his Lewiston apartment when his stepson, Jasper Smith, found a loaded handgun in a bag before taking it to a room and shooting himself in May of last year.

McCoy pleaded guilty to charges of manslaughter and endangering the welfare of a child on August 3, 2026. He had originally faced up to 30 years on the manslaughter charge.

Harrowing: Jasper Smith, four, found his stepdad’s loaded 9mm Luger handgun in a zipped bag at the family’s apartment before accidentally shooting himself

He will serve eight years in prison and an additional six years of probation, Justice Jennifer Archer decided at a sentencing hearing Friday morning.

During probation, McCoy is prohibited from interacting with children under the age of six. He cannot possess firearms or ammunition and can be subject to random searches.

According to the Sun Journal, Archer said Smith found his stepdad’s loaded 9mm Luger handgun in a zipped bag at the family’s apartment. After leaving to his bedroom, Smith had accidentally shot himself in the head.

Prior worries: Family members had raised concerns about Smith’s wellbeing before his death

McCoy found Smith wounded in the bedroom before carrying the boy to his mother, Mikayla Smith, and calling 911.

Police officials reported that several family members were present in the home when first responders arrived to assist the child. Smith’s older brother was sleeping at the time of the incident.

The child was taken to Central Maine Medical Center where he died.

After an investigation led by the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit and the Lewiston Police Department, McCoy was arrested in June 2025.

Locked up: Robert McCoy, 37, pleaded guilty to charges of manslaughter and endangering the welfare of a child on August 3, 2026

The Sun Journal reported that several family members testified they called the Department of Health and Human Services Child and Family Services to raise concerns about Smith’s wellbeing before his death.

Anthony Smith, the young boy’s uncle, wrote to the court that his death could have been prevented and that he was a ‘fun-loving child.’

The relatives said they had requested Smith be removed from the home multiple times due to the filthy conditions and lack of care from his parents.

Heartbreaking: The boy was described as a ‘fun-loving child’

Family members had allegedly called the department 17 times and prompted seven investigations into Smith’s parents but there were no concrete findings.

According to the outlet, Andrew Northam, Smith’s biological father, testified that he attempted to reach out and get back into his son’s life.

‘I lost my son before I ever got a chance to know him,’ Northam said in court.

Justin Leary, McCoy’s attorney, described the accident as ‘criminally negligent’ but said his client did practice gun safety often.

‘He did love and care for his children. He is crushed and haunted by his death,’ Leary told the court.

‘I am sorry. I failed you all. I deeply loved my son. I love you Jasper as I do my own children,’ McCoy said.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Justin Leary, McCoy’s attorney, for comments on his behalf.

The Daily Mail has also contacted the Maine Department of Health and Human Services for comments or additional details.