Left: Nathan Stanley. Right: Mikayla Stanley (Wabash County Jail via WANE). Inset: Charlie Stanley (McKee Mortuary Inc.).
“Oh, a flashlight.” These heartbreaking words were the last spoken by a 4-year-old boy from Indiana, who tragically lost his life after picking up a firearm that was irresponsibly left unsecured by his father. The weapon discharged, resulting in the child’s untimely death.
The boy’s father, Nathan Stanley, now 27, faces a lengthy prison sentence following a guilty plea to charges of neglect of a dependent. The court has handed down a 23-year sentence, with three years suspended, as documented in court records.
Charlie’s mother, Mikayla Stanley, aged 26, is also facing charges of neglect of a dependent. Her trial is anticipated to begin in the upcoming month.
According to a press release from Fort Wayne CBS affiliate WANE, the tragic incident unfolded on May 30, 2025, at an apartment complex on Clear Creek Trail in North Manchester. Police officers responding to the scene discovered Charlie with a gunshot wound, and he was sadly declared deceased upon their arrival.
According to a press release sent to Fort Wayne CBS affiliate WANE, the incident occurred on May 30, 2025, at an apartment complex on Clear Creek Trail in North Manchester. Cops responded to the apartment and found Charlie suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead on scene.
A probable cause arrest affidavit obtained by local ABC affiliate WPTA said a family member was watching Charlie and his younger brother while the Stanleys were out.
The family member was changing the younger brother’s diaper while Charlie played with items on a bedside table. Unbeknownst to the family member, one of the items was a gun.
She heard him say “Oh, a flashlight” and turned to see what he was holding. The gun went off, striking him in the torso, the affidavit reportedly said.
Charlie’s parents arrived at the home around the same time. Mikayla instantly suspected the shooting involved one of her husband’s guns, saying he was “always leaving them out.” The gun used was a Canik 9mm.
Nathan Stanley reportedly told cops he had gone shooting five days before his son’s death and left the 9mm along with two other handguns, a shotgun and a rifle outside a safe. This was despite agreeing to a child safety plan from the Department of Child Services about the importance of securing weapons inside the house.
Mikayla Stanley said she was “always getting onto Nathan about locking his guns up,” the affidavit reportedly stated.
Charlie’s obituary described him as a “bright, charming child” who “delighted his family and all who knew him.”
“One of his favorite things was ‘reading’ picture books to his little brother,” the obituary said.