By Denise Di Stephan
The father of a 4-year-old boy who fatally shot his 6-year-old Toms River neighbor earlier this year pleaded not guilty in Superior Court on Monday on child-endangerment charges.
Anthony Senatore, 34, appeared before Superior Court Judge Wendel E. Daniels to face five charges of child endangerment in connection with the killing of Brandon Holt.
Find out what's happening in Wallfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Senatore was indicted on five counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of children and one count of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said.
On April 8, Senatore’s 4-year-old son gained access to what authorities describe as an unsecured .22 caliber rifle in Senatore’s bedroom and fired a single shot, which struck 6-year-old neighbor, Brandon Holt, in the head.
Holt was transported to the Jersey Shore University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead the next day.
Due to familial conflicts, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office took over the case from Ocean County authorities.
Senatore was charged in the case on May 13.
Authorities charged Senatore with one count of second-degree endangering the welfare of children for each of the five firearms found that investigators say were accessible to his own children, for whom he had a legal duty of care.
On April 8, Senatore’s 4-year-old son gained access to what authorities describe as an unsecured .22 caliber rifle in Senatore’s bedroom and fired a single shot, which struck 6-year-old neighbor, Brandon Holt, in the head.
Holt was transported to the Jersey Shore University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead the next day.
Due to familial conflicts, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office took over the case from Ocean County authorities.
Senatore was charged in the case on May 13.
Authorities charged Senatore with one count of second-degree endangering the welfare of children for each of the five firearms found that investigators say were accessible to his own children, for whom he had a legal duty of care.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
