Parents arrested after accidental shooting

Wayne White | Managing Editor

CARBONDALE—The parents of a 4-year-old Carbondale boy, who was accidentally shot by his 5-year-old brother Dec. 18, were charged with child endangerment in Osage County District Court last week.
According to Osage County Attorney Brandon Jones, the charges against Mack Pagel, 26, and Brittany Deprato, 25, resulted from the accidental shooting of Hunter Pagel, 4, who was shot with a shotgun by his 5-year-old brother, at about 12:45 p.m. Dec. 18.

The Osage County Sheriff's office arrested the victim’s parents Dec. 22, and they were both charged with aggravated child endangerment and were held in the Osage County Jail on $7,500 cash or surety bonds. Later that day, Mack Pagel and Deprato appeared with their attorney, Rick Godderz, for a first appearance in district court. They were released on $2,000 recognizance bonds. A status hearing for both was scheduled for 10 a.m. Jan. 5.

Police reports indicate the shooting happened at the family’s home at 317 Wells St., Carbondale. After the shooting was reported, Hunter Pagel was transported to Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. He has since been treated and released, according to police.

Aggravated endangering a child is a severity level 9, person felony.