An Ephrata man was recently sentenced in Lancaster County Court for pointing a loaded shotgun at his 3-year-old son this summer during a domestic dispute.

Darian Keith Taylor told police he pointed the shotgun at the boy to “intimidate” his wife – the boy’s mother – during a June 21 argument at their Michael Court home.

Lancaster County Judge Joseph Madenspacher ordered Taylor serve 5 years of probation, undergo drug/alcohol treatment, and keep a full-time job during the probation term.

Taylor, 49, had previously pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of endangering a child, reckless endangerment, and simple assault.

Assistant District Attorney Andrew Lefever prosecuted the case.

Ephrata police Detective Graeme Quinn, who filed charges, reported that the boy said, “Please don’t shoot me, daddy,” as the gun was pointed at him.

Taylor told the boy his mother was “making” him point the gun.

MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright