I don't think a day has gone by that I have not thought about this accident. I have a 7 year old boy, and I have fought back the tears as I have read about this incident over the past weeks. I just read the 911 transcript on the Channel 5 website and had to swallow hard again. My heart breaks for that little boy. I won't go after the father...I think enough has been said already...some I agree with, some I don't. What I do know is that this man will have to live with this for the rest of his life. He knows he screwed up, and I make no excuses for what he did. There are going to be very hard times for this family in the next months and years. My prayers go out to the family, including the father.

I just pulled this off the pioneer press web site. I know a lot of people are following this story.

Here ya go:

Anthony M. Klaseus, 39, the Belle Plaine man charged with killing his son, Hunter, 8, while poaching turkey April 19, made his first appearance in Sibley County District Court today.

He was released after the arraignment without bail, but must follow several conditions, including:

* Not using or possessing drugs or alcohol

* Not using or possession firearms

* Not leaving Minnesota without a court order

Klaseus had marijuana and alcohol in his system when he shot his son after mistaking him for a turkey. He faces felony charges of second-degree manslaughter and reckless discharge of a firearm, as well as misdemeanor counts for trespassing and hunting turkeys without a license.

Klaseus's next court date is 1 p.m. June 19.

thanks for the update

Thanks for the update. I haven't been looking to see what's been going on.

Just got this off the Strib website. I still choke up every time I read one of the articles. Hopefully God is taking care of this little boy...


GAYLORD, MINN. -- The Belle Plaine man charged with fatally shooting his 8-year-old son while turkey hunting pleaded guilty today to second-degree manslaughter in Sibley County District Court.

The other charges against Anthony Klaseus, 40, were dropped: reckless discharge of a firearm and two misdemeanors: trespassing and hunting turkeys without a license.

The criminal complaint showed that Klaseus had alcohol and marijuana in his system when he shot his son, Hunter, in the chest on the evening of April 19.

"It was a tough decision, debating whether to go to trial or not," Klaseus' attorney, Patrick Flanagan, said after the court hearing. "In the end, Anthony just believed that this was the best result for him and his family so they can begin the important healing portion."

Flanagan said he and his client were weighing the plea offer from the start, but only decided to accept it an hour before today's hearing.

Klaseus said little during the hearing, only affirming the sequence of events in questions posed to him. At one point, he broke down in tears and a deputy handed him tissue while Flanagan patted him on the back.

Among the eight or so supporters of Klaseus at the hearing were his wife, Amber, his parents and a sister.

Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 25. Flanagan declined to comment on what punishment Klaseus might receive.

The Klaseus family recently moved from Belle Plaine, Flanagan said, but still lives in the area.

According to the charges: Klaseus and Hunter were on the edge of a field east of Crahan Lane near County Rd. 6 in Sibley County about 5 p.m. when they spotted some turkeys. Klaseus told his son to stay put as he circled the field to approach them.

He called to the turkeys. They moved toward him. He heard something snap or break near him and then saw a figure rise up. He shot the object, thinking it was a turkey.

"Then my son jumped back up screaming and then fell back down," he told authorities as stated in the complaint.

Hunter, dressed in full camouflage, had wandered up near his father.

Klaseus took a breath test at the scene that registered a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.06 percent, the complaint said. A urine test revealed the presence of marijuana; the exact concentration was not disclosed.

Several partially empty beer packs and a marijuana pipe were found in his truck at the scene, the complaint said.

Chao Xiong • 612-673-4391

I've got a 7 year old at home and he fell in the lake yesterday as we were shore fishing, (don't worry, he's fine) and I felt guilty enough about that. I can't imagine what the family of this little guy must feel. I pray that they may find peace at the end of the road, even the father...

I'm satisfied this guy admitted in his part on this tragedy. I do not know the full details of this case so I wont pass judgement.

I am glad the plea was guilty too. Maybe he is taking responsibility for his actions? I am not sure.

Huge huge mistakes were made and a terrible way to learn a lesson.

I feel horrible for the guy and his family, what a horrible accident.

I feel horrible for the family and this little child for sure. I don't feel all that bad for the Dad. To do what he did is reckless and careless. To drink and smoke dope and then take your child hunting and leave them alone? I'm sure living with what he did is huge punishment that I couldn't imagine but he should go to jail for a while. This was an inexcusable and avoidable death.

well i feel bad for him because even though he was dumb AND poaching, he still lost his son...

I do feel bad for him as well, but I do think he should get some good time to sit and think about it. I dont think I could live with it if it was me. If it was me, they could give me life in prison and it wouldnt equal knowing I took the life of my own kid!