Allentown Man Sentenced to as Long as 60 Months in State Prison for Involuntary Manslaughter; He Left a Loaded Handgun Near Two Children, One Died of a Gunshot Wound

— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs

A 29-year-old Allentown man who left a loaded Glock handgun on a couch near two children will spend the next 18 to 60 months in state prison.

One of the children shot himself to death, according to investigators.

Jose Hilario Abreu was sentenced today by Judge Robert L. Steinberg, according to Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan.

“On March 28, 2024 at approximately 11:53 a.m., Lehigh County 911 Communications Center received a 911 call in which a woman said her 3-year-old son had grabbed a gun and shot himself in the chest,” according to Holihan’s statement.

The victim, Elijah Abreu Borgen, died later at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, the statement said.

Here are the facts, from the District Attorney:

Feb. 11, 2025
District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan announced a sentence for a man charged in the death of a 3-year-old boy in Allentown.
Jose Hilario Abreu, DOB 10/26/1995, of Allentown, was sentenced today to serve 18 months to 60 months in state prison at a hearing before Judge Robert L. Steinberg.
On Dec. 3, 2024, Abreu pleaded guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter in which the victim was under 12 years of age and Endangering the Welfare of a Child, both felonies of the second degree.
A plea agreement called for a minimum jail sentence between 18 months and 30 months in prison.
On March 28, 2024 at approximately 11:53 a.m., Lehigh County 911 Communications Center received a 911 call in which a woman said her 3-year-old son had grabbed a gun and shot himself in the chest.
The victim, Elijah Abreu Borgen, was found with life-threatening injuries and taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest, but later succumbed to his injuries and died at the hospital. Elijah Abreu Borgen died from a gunshot wound to the torso and his death was ruled accidental by the Lehigh County Coroner.
The investigation revealed that Jose Hilario Abreu had a loaded handgun in the home with Elijah and a second child, age 2.
The investigation revealed a Glock 19 semi-automatic handgun was left unattended and fully loaded with a live cartridge in the chamber by Jose Hilario Abreu. Evidence further revealed when the gun was discharged, it was unholstered and sitting atop a pillow on the couch where both toddlers were sitting.
A rapid gunshot residue test was performed on Elijah after his death and yielded a presumptive positive indication for gunshot residue on his hands.
The case was investigated by Allentown Police Detectives Joseph Beiner and Harold Bonser as well as the Lehigh County Homicide Task Force, the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office and the Lehigh County Firearm and Toolmark Laboratory. The Pennsylvania State Police assisted with the arrest of Abreu.
The case was prosecuted by Chief Deputy District Attorney Sara A. Moyer and Senior Deputy District Attorney Sarah Heimbach.