A Michigan judge sentenced a father on an involuntary manslaughter charge in the death of his autistic 16-year-old son.
Timothy Koets, 51, is a former Grand Rapids Community College professor. Last month he pleaded guilty to two felonies and one misdemeanor — involuntary manslaughter, fourth-degree child abuse and obtaining a controlled substance by fraud — in the death of his son Sam Koets, according to MLive
He was sentenced Monday in Ottawa County Circuit Court to a minimum of two years and a maximum of 15 years in prison
Koets is accused of leaving his son outside, without any supervision, on March 28, 2019.
Sam, who was autistic, drowned in an above-ground pool in their backyard, which was filled with icy water.
His arms were bound when his body was found, police said.
On Dec. 8 he admitted to causing “the death of Sam by acting in a grossly negligent manner by placing Sam unattended in the backyard with access to the swimming pool.”
He also admitted that his son’s arms were wrapped in a restraint device, which was used by the family to protect Sam from himself, he said.
According to local television station WWMT West Michigan, the teen was in the water for about an hour before he was found.
After his son’s death, Koets allegedly filled multiple prescriptions that were written for his deceased son, Ottawa Sheriff’s Capt. Mark Bennett said.
Before he was sentenced, Ottawa County Circuit Judge Jon Hulsing said told Koets that, “Sam had value and the sanction will not restore Sam, but it will recognize that all humans have value and because of the neglect that you committed a valuable human has lost his life.”
