Dad in fatal Bear Mountain plunge gets probation

The father accused of letting his wife drive off a 300-foot Bear Mountain cliff with their kids in the vehicle was sentenced to three years probation in New City Wednesday. The judge officially dismissed

News 12 Staff

Jun 6, 2007, 5:43 PM

Updated 6,162 days ago

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Dad in fatal Bear Mountain plunge gets probation
The father accused of letting his wife drive off a 300-foot Bear Mountain cliff with their kids in the vehicle was sentenced to three years probation in New City Wednesday.
The judge officially dismissed felony charges of promoting a suicide and reckless endangerment during the sentencing. Han, 35, pleaded guilty in March to child endangerment as part of a deal to keep him out of prison.
Han stepped out of his family's minivan last June, leaving his wife in the vehicle with their two young daughters in the back seat. Hejin Han, 35, drove the minivan off the cliff. She died, but 5-year-old Ariana and 3-year-old Itana survived.
Han, who was reportedly having an affair, admitted after the incident that he knew his wife was suicidal. His attorney, Lawrence Golden, read the statement his client made in court to the media.
"I deeply regret my conduct on that day and pray that I could go back and change things ... [I] couldn't even imagine [my wife] would deliberately put our children's lives at risk," Han told the court. "I realize I should have been more concerned and careful."
Han also said in court he hopes to rebuild his relationship with his daughters. He will have to go to family court for custody.
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