A Maine stepfather was sentenced to eight years in prison Friday after his four-year-old stepson found an unsecured handgun and accidentally shot himself.
Robert McCoy, 37, was at his Lewiston apartment when Jasper Smith discovered a loaded pistol inside a bag. The boy carried the weapon into another room, where it discharged.
McCoy pleaded guilty on August 3, 2026, to manslaughter and endangering the welfare of a child. The manslaughter charge initially carried a potential sentence of up to 30 years.
Justice Jennifer Archer sentenced McCoy to eight years behind bars, followed by six years of probation, during a Friday morning hearing.
As a condition of his probation, McCoy cannot have contact with children younger than six. He is also barred from possessing firearms or ammunition and may be subject to unannounced searches.
The Sun Journal reported that Archer said Jasper found McCoy’s loaded 9mm Luger inside a zipped bag at the family’s apartment. The child then went into a bedroom, where he accidentally shot himself in the head.
Four-year-old Jasper Smith discovered his stepfather’s loaded 9mm Luger in a zipped bag at the family’s apartment before accidentally shooting himself.
Several relatives told the Sun Journal they had contacted the Department of Health and Human Services Child and Family Services about concerns for Jasper Smith’s welfare before his death.
Robert McCoy, 37, admitted to manslaughter and endangering the welfare of a child on August 3, 2026.
McCoy found Jasper injured in the bedroom, carried him to his mother, Mikayla Smith, and called 911.
Police said several relatives were in the apartment when emergency crews arrived. Jasper’s older brother was asleep at the time of the shooting.
The child was transported to Central Maine Medical Center, where he later died.
Following an investigation by the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit and the Lewiston Police Department, McCoy was arrested in June 2025.
According to the Sun Journal, multiple family members testified that they had contacted the Department of Health and Human Services Child and Family Services before Jasper’s death to report concerns about his wellbeing.
Anthony Smith, Jasper’s uncle, told the court in a letter that the boy’s death could have been prevented. He described Jasper as a “fun-loving child.”
Relatives said they repeatedly asked authorities to remove Jasper from the home, citing what they described as filthy living conditions and inadequate care from his parents.
Family members reportedly made 17 calls to the department, leading to seven investigations involving Jasper’s parents. However, those inquiries produced no concrete findings.
Jasper’s uncle, Anthony Smith, told the court that the child’s death could have been prevented and remembered him as a “fun-loving child.”
Relatives said they had repeatedly sought Jasper’s removal from the home because of allegedly filthy conditions and a lack of parental care.
The outlet also reported that Andrew Northam, Jasper’s biological father, testified that he had tried to reconnect with his son and become part of his life again.
‘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.
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