Defense attorney Scott King described Henderson as a family man who was the primary care taker for the children while the children’s mother worked during the day. Henderson was also in the process of opening up a food stand when the shooting happened.

Previously, Henderson had spent 10 years in prison on a federal charge. He said he was trying to make up for lost time with his 10 children.

“It hurts, your honor,” he said. “I’m at peace with the decision I made with my child.”

Five of his children were seated in the courtroom gallery. One woman walked out of the courtroom at one point after becoming overwhelmed with emotion.

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Nadia Chivers had argued for a 15-year prison sentence. She said Henderson allowed the gun in the home knowing there were children there. The .22-caliber semiautomatic handgun had been left on a television stand.

“This was much more than an accident, this was outright negligence,” she said.

Though Henderson had a past criminal history, Vasquez noted it was for drug offenses and those crimes weren’t connected to what happened in the neglect case.