Lincoln man sentenced to 15 years prison for toddler's gun death

A Lincoln County man was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Monday for negligent homicide after his toddler shot himself while handling an unattended handgun last year.

Timothy Moore pleaded guilty in December 2025 to one charge of negligent homicide and appeared for sentencing Monday afternoon before Judge Matthew Cuffe in Lincoln County District Court.

According to charging documents, Lincoln County deputies responded to a report of a 2-year-old who had been shot on May 27, 2025. The child died from his injuries at a nearby hospital.

Detectives found Moore, the child's father, outside in an altered mental state. Moore said he'd stepped outside to smoke and heard a popping sound, and when he ran inside, he found his child holding the gun with a gunshot wound. A handgun was found in the home.

According to the Lincoln County Attorney's Office, Moore was sentenced to 20 years in prison with five suspended, meaning he'll serve 15 years in prison and be on release conditions for five years. This is in accordance with the plea agreement.