The boy was playing with his mom's gun when it accidentally went off, authorities have said.
NEWARK -- The mother of a 5-year-old boy who fatally shot his younger brother will be out of jail in about a month.
Itiyanah Spruill, now 23, was sentenced on Sept. 28 by Judge Ronald Wigler to 365 days in jail in connection with the shooting death of her 4-year-old son Christopher Lassiter, a spokeswoman for the Essex County Prosecutor's Office said Monday.
Since Spruill has been in jail since the June incident, she will be eligible for release in about a month, spokeswoman Katherine Carter said.
Boy, 4, wanted to be doctor, family says
Spruill, who pleaded guilty in August to two counts of second degree endangering the welfare of a child, was also sentenced to 250 hours of community service and five years of probation, Carter said.
Spruill was arrested soon after her older son shot and killed his brother inside their East Orange home. Authorities have said the boy was playing with his mother's gun when he accidentally shot his brother in the head.
Spruill was granted a special viewing at the boy's funeral. Family members have described him as a sweet child who wanted to be a doctor when he grew up.
Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.