A Kansas man has been sentenced to 16 years in prison after his gun was used to accidentally kill a 5-year-old boy.

The Denver Post reports that in December 2011, Adam Dean Laham, 24, was visiting friend at an apartment in Lakewood, Colorado, when he put his Kel-Tech semi-automatic handgun in a box on a nightstand in the bedroom he was staying in, which belonged to three children aged 3,5 and 6.

On December 23, 2011, the children went to play video games in the room while the adults were in the living room, when they heard a gunshot. The adults ran into the room to find the 3-year-old holding the gun, which he used to accidentally shoot and kill his 5-year-old brother.

Laham pleaded guilty to the charges of negligent child abuse resulting in death.

"As adults we have to protect our children," said District Attorney Peter Weir, "This irresponsible decision to leave a gun within the reach of a child has had terrible consequences for everyone involved. We are very pleased with this sentence."

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