Hunter faces charges for death of toddler

MONTICELLO, N.Y., Nov. 18 (UPI) -- A New York City man hunting in the Catskills with a high-powered rifle has been charged with manslaughter in the death of a toddler killed by a stray bullet.

The victim, Charly Skala, 16 months, was in her family's mobile home. Investigators say that a bullet fired from about 400 feet away by Edward Taibi penetrated the home Sunday, The Times Herald-Record of Orange County reported Tuesday.

Taibi was charged with second-degree involuntary manslaughter. He had wounded a deer and fired a second shot to bring it down, WABC-TV, New York, reported.

The death has inspired calls to limit the firepower hunters can use in Sullivan County. Taibi was hunting with a .300-caliber Winchester Magnum rifle, but in nearby counties, including Putnam, Dutchess and Rockland, hunters can only use shotguns and muzzle-loading rifles, while Westchester allows only bow hunting.

Any change would require approval by the state legislature.