Todd Francis Pleads Guilty to Child Endangerment Under Circumstances Likely to Cause Great Bodily Injury

Todd Francis, 55, during arraignment in connection with the death of neighbor Eric Klyaz, who had been playing with Francis 9-year-old daughter when the gun was fired. — Pool photo


Local news reports further to our earlier post

A gun owner whose weapon was used in the accidental — and fatal — shooting of a 10-year-old boy in Miramar Ranch pleaded guilty Monday to two counts of felony child endangerment.

Todd Francis, 56, had been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the June 4 death of his neighbor, Eric Klyaz, who had been playing with Francis’ 9-year-old daughter in the garage of the family home.

Eric was shot in his chest.

Francis pleaded guilty in San Diego Superior Court to one count of child endangerment under circumstances likely to cause great bodily injury in connection with Eric, and another in connection with the defendant’s daughter. The manslaughter charge was dismissed as part of the plea.

Francis faces up to seven years and four months in prison at a sentencing hearing on April 8. Prosecutors agreed not to ask for more than four years.