Saying it would compound a tragedy and serve no purpose, a Lancaster County judge spared an East Lampeter man prison time for accidentally shooting his infant daughter.

Instead, Judge Dennis Reinaker sentenced G. Scott Davis, 36, to six years of probation Friday after Davis pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and related charges in the Dec. 24 death of 2-month-old Kestyn Davis.

Reinaker told Davis he was "certain this is something that will haunt you the rest of your life."

Davis had been playing with a 9-mm handgun he’d bought earlier in December when he pulled the trigger while the gun was in his lap, according to authorities. He knew the gun had a magazine, but didn't realize a bullet was in the chamber.

The bullet struck Kestyn, who was in a swing at the other end of the room a few feet away. Kestyn died shortly after being shot in the abdomen.

Almost immediately, Davis’ wife, Alyssa, and her father returned home from shopping and her father called 911.

They had been picking up tuxedos so Alyssa and Scott could have a formal wedding ceremony, according to Scott's lawyer, Jeffrey Conrad, said. The couple married in April.

Scott, who spoke only briefly, said the day of the shooting replays in his mind daily. He called it an accident.

He told Reinaker he loved his daughter.

"I was so proud of my wife and family. I had such big dreams for her," he said.

Faith in the Lord and the strength of his family and friends have enabled him to get through, he said.

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Alyssa, her voice wavering, told Reinaker her husband has brought her joy and treats her with love and respect. Davis' mother, Audrey Phipps, told the judge her son was a good son who loved his daughter.

Conrad, in asking for no jail time, said Davis had contemplated suicide.

"I told him, do not make an already bad situation worse … There are still thing to live for," Conrad said.

Conrad told Reinaker no sentence could be harsher than what Davis must live with.

"He was punished himself and will continue to punish himself," Conrad said.

Davis entered an open plea, meaning there was no plea agreement with prosecutors and the sentencing was up to Reinaker.

Assistant District Attorney Mark Fetterman said prosecutors and East Lampeter police agreed with the proposed resolution.

The charges Davis pleaded guilty to —involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment and endangering the welfare of a child — carried a potential maximum jail time of 15 years.

Conrad said sentencing guidelines suggested nine months in jail, but that mitigating or aggravating circumstances would could erase or double the suggested time.

Conrad cited Davis' lack of criminal history, his steady work, family and faith in seeking a probationary sentence.

Besides the probation, Reinaker ordered Davis to complete 250 hours of community service and pay the costs of prosecution. He can also never own a gun again — and does not want to, Conrad said.