A Cooperstown man has been sentenced in connection with the fentanyl overdose death of his two-year-old grandson last July at the man’s Oakland Township home.
Stanley Goreczny, 64, was sentenced last week to a minimum of one year and a maximum of four years in state prison by Venango County President Judge Marie Veon. He received credit for the 189 days he has already served in the Venango County jail.
Goreczny pleaded guilty in February before Veon to a felony count of endangering the welfare of children. A felony charge of involuntary manslaughter was dropped in exchange for the guilty plea.
The boy’s mother, Stevie Goreczny, 21, pleaded guilty to a third-degree murder charge March 3 before senior judge Thomas King Kistler. Her sentencing is scheduled later this month.
Felony charges of endangering the welfare of children and involuntary manslaughter were dropped in exchange for Stevie Goreczny’s guilty plea.
Stevie Goreczny had said last year that July 7 was her son’s second birthday and that he had no medical issues in the days leading up to his death, Franklin state police said in a criminal complaint.
Stevie Goreczny said she woke up at about 5 a.m. on July 8 and checked on her son. She said she found him in a seated position on the couch not breathing but still warm, according to the complaint.
She screamed, which woke her father up, and they took the boy to the hospital where he was pronounced dead, the complaint said.
State police received a toxicology report in August that determined the boy died of a fentanyl overdose, the complaint said.
Both Gorecznys were held for court in November in Venango County Central Court.
