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Jose Hilario Abreu, 29, was sentenced to 18 to 60 months behind bars during a hearing before Judge Robert L. Steinberg.
Abreu pleaded guilty on Dec. 3, 2024, to involuntary manslaughter of a child under 12 and endangering the welfare of a child, both second-degree felonies. His plea agreement initially called for a prison term of 18 to 30 months.
The case stems from the March 28, 2024, death of Elijah Abreu Borgen, who suffered a gunshot wound to the chest at the family's home in Allentown. His mother called 911 around 11:53 a.m., saying he had grabbed a gun and shot himself.
Elijah was rushed to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest but did not survive. His death was ruled accidental by the Lehigh County Coroner.
Investigators determined that Abreu had left a Glock 19 semi-automatic handgun loaded and unholstered on a pillow next to Elijah and his 2-year-old sibling. A gunshot residue test confirmed Elijah had residue on his hands.
The case was investigated by Allentown Police Detectives Joseph Beiner and Harold Bonser, the Lehigh County Homicide Task Force, the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office, and other agencies. Prosecutors Sara A. Moyer and Sarah Heimbach handled the case.
Click here to donate to the GoFundMe to help Elijah's mom cover her son's funeral costs.
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