A Wisconsin man has been charged with reckless homicide in the murder of his 9-year-old stepson.

Steven Merkel, 52, appeared in court on Tuesday, when he was given a $250,000 bond, WDJT reported.

Town of Geneva police said they responded to the call about the shooting early Monday morning and found the boy shot. He was taken to a hospital, where he died.

In court on Tuesday, Walworth County District Attorney Zeke Wiedenfeld noted Merkel’s lengthy criminal history.

“Convictions for telephone harassment, assault, battery, those go back into the 90s but he does have an ongoing record,” said Wiedenfeld.

WDJT did not identify the boy or say what his relationship with Merkel was, but WISN identified the child as Michael Meagher and said police went to the home at about 2 a.m. on Monday.

Wiedenfeld said he expects to file formal charges at Merkel’s next court appearance on Thursday and will have more information about the shooting then.

A GoFundMe for Michael’s family describes him as a “bright funny boy” and said he had two sisters.

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[Featured image: Michael Meagher/GoFundMe]