ANCHORAGE — Elizabeth Morin, 22, faces two felony charges following the death of her 3-year-old son, Brayden Heath, who shot and killed himself at a south Anchorage home in August.
Morin was arraigned at the Nesbett Courthouse on Thursday for charges of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide.
Anchorage police are still investigating Brayden’s death. Since there is no public police report or official complaint, details on the case are sparse.
District Attorney Clint Campion says they believe Morin left a loaded gun unattended for a period of “days.” He said such actions “would rise to the level of being reckless or criminally negligent.”
Campion said the prosecution team understands the “sensitive” nature of the case.
“I recognize that this is a huge tragedy for her and her family. She lost her son. There’s nothing we can do in this criminal justice system that’s going to bring [him] back or make that right,” said Campion.
Morin does not yet have a defense attorney. The trial is scheduled to begin in May.
“All we’re interested in is making sure she has a fair trial,” said Campion. “Our allegations are just allegations. She’s innocent until proven guilty,” he added.
Campion wanted Morin post to bail, but the judge denied the request.
“To have her charged is shock enough,” said Richard Payne, a lawyer and friend of Morin. ”To require bail or possible incarceration due to inability to post bail would shock the conscience beyond what I believe this community would tolerate.”
Morin is not allowed to have a gun or leave the state of Alaska without the court’s permission.
