TUSCUMBIA, Ala. — A northwest Alabama couple has pleaded guilty in the accidental shooting death of a 2-year-old boy.

Robert Michael Reaves was killed by a single shot in 2016 while visiting the home of William and Chelsie Whitfield of Leighton. The couple was charged with leaving a loaded gun out where the child could get it.

The Whitfields were indicted on manslaughter charges and pleaded guilty Wednesday to criminally negligent homicide. Authorities say they apologized to the boy’s family during a hearing.

They weren’t sentenced immediately. The TimesDaily (http://bit.ly/2j81efe ) reports the case could be dismissed in a year if there aren’t any more court proceedings against them.

Colbert County District Attorney Bryce Graham Jr. says the case is about raising public awareness about the responsibility of owning a gun.