A California man has been charged with involuntary manslaughter after an illegal fireworks display at his Fourth of July party ended with the death of an 8-year-old girl.
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office announced charges Wednesday against Earl Decastro, 47, in connection with the death of Jasmine Nguyen.
Jasmine had been visiting Decastro’s home in Buena Park for a holiday celebration when the fireworks explosion happened last Fourth of July.
Decastro was charged with one felony count of involuntary manslaughter, recklessly causing a fire that resulted in great bodily injury and illegally possessing more than 100 pounds of dangerous fireworks.
He faces a maximum sentence of six years in state prison if convicted.
Prosecutors allege Decastro spent more than an hour setting off fireworks in the street outside his home before preparing a dramatic grand finale.
Authorities said he ignited an illegal $400 firework “cake” that contained professional-grade explosives.
Within seconds, the device allegedly malfunctioned and began firing aerial mortar shells toward the driveway, where guests had gathered to watch the display.
Jasmine was reportedly sitting near a covered table holding additional unused fireworks when the mortars shot into the crowd.
Partygoers rushed into the house, but prosecutors said Jasmine was unable to reach safety before the unspent fireworks near her exploded.
Police and emergency responders arrived and attempted to revive the child, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said the tragedy was preventable and blamed the use of illegal fireworks.
“There is nothing accidental about buying and lighting illegal fireworks,” Spitzer said in a statement.
“An eight-year-old little girl is dead and the man who killed her is going to be held responsible. A few seconds of fun is not worth a lifetime of trauma and the loss of a beautiful little girl who never had the chance to grow up.”
Decastro was initially arrested on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter on the night of the explosion but was later released on bail.
A GoFundMe campaign created by Jasmine’s family raised at least $66,000 in the days after her death to help pay for funeral and memorial expenses.
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