Lake Stevens dad pleads not guilty after son, 3, shot himself

Correction: An earlier version of this story from the Associated Press was wrong. Holzwarth has pleaded not guilty. 

EVERETT, Wash. (AP) — A Lake Stevens, Wash., man has pleaded not guilty to reckless endangerment after his 3-year-old son shot himself in the face with the father's handgun.

The Daily Herald of Everett reports Jon Holzwarth pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor Thursday in Everett District Court.

Judge Anthony Howard says the 47-year-old must be supervised when he visits his son, who is now 4. He also cannot have guns around any children.

Prosecutors say that by leaving a gun within reach of his son, Holzwarth created a substantial risk to the boy.

The boy shot himself in the mouth in November. The bullet lodged in the boy's upper palate and caused significant damage that required surgery.