The parents of a two-year-old Alabama boy who died after being left for hours in a hot car in 2019 have both been sentenced to more than four years in prison after pleading guilty to reckless manslaughter.
Castiel King, two, died on June 28, 2019 in Dothan, Alabama, after climbing into his parents' unlocked Mazda sports car around 3.15pm that summer day, according to People. Investigators said that temperatures inside the car reached about 120 degrees.
Castiel's older sibling found him dead in the car about four hours later.
Meanwhile, his father Robert Patrick King, 38, and mother 40-year-old Melinda Gail King, were drinking and smoking pot before falling asleep.
On Thursday, Robert was sentenced to 52 months in prison followed by probation, on Thursday, after pleading guilty to reckless manslaughter.
Robert Patrick King (left and right), father of a two-year-old Alabama boy who died after being left for hours in a hot car in 2019, pleaded guilty to reckless manslaughter on Thursday
Castiel King, two, died on June 28, 2019 in Dothan, Alabama, after climbing into his parents' unlocked Mazda sports car (pictured) around 3.15pm that summer day. His older sibling found him dead about four hours later and investigators said that temperatures inside the car reached about 120 degrees
Melinda also pleaded guilty to reckless manslaughter on August 23 and received the same sentence as her now ex-husband.
Castiel allegedly climbed into the car but then couldn't get out. Court documents revealed that his parents had fallen asleep after drinking and smoking marijuana at their home.
Castiel King's mother Melinda Gail King (pictured), 40, pleaded guilty to reckless manslaughter on August 23 and received the same sentence as her now ex-husband
Their son was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. Since Castiel's death their surviving children have been placed in a relative's custody and the couple has filed for divorce.
Melinda's defense attorney Raynor Clifton said of her guilty plea: '(She) has taken responsibility for what happened, and she will regret this for the rest of her life.'
They both had originally pleaded not guilty but each changed their minds before their separate trials began.
After the Kings' arrest in 2019 the Dothan Police Department issued a statement that read: 'An investigation into the circumstances of the death revealed that the child was left unattended by the parents, Robert Patrick King and Melinda Gail King, he exited the home and entered the vehicle on his own.
'Both parents were asleep in the home and under the influence of intoxicants. As a result of the investigation, were both charged with one count of manslaughter each and both have a $30,000.00 bond.'
King was released on bond in late August of 2019. According to WTVY he violated the terms of his bond agreement when Dothan police arrested him for the misdemeanor charge of public intoxication.
Officers said that he was so drunk that he had to use a bush to keep his balance. King admitted to drinking and said he walked to the store earlier to buy two cans of Four Loco, which is marketed as a premium energy malt beverage, as reported by WTVY.
King was sent back to jail where he reportedly had a substance abuse evaluation and assessment for treatment.
At the time King and Melinda were also facing drug charges after cops found nearly two pounds of marijuana in their home following their son's death.
When cops arrested the Kings at their Alabama home (pictured) they also found nearly two pounds of marijuana inside the residence
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