Christopher Gregor, a New Jersey father, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the tragic death of his son, Corey Micciolo, who was only 6 years old. The incident occurred on March 20, 2021, when Gregor made his son run on a speeding treadmill as a form of discipline. Despite the child falling off multiple times, Gregor continued to increase the speed of the treadmill, leading to fatal injuries that caused Corey’s death on April 2.
During the sentencing, Gregor maintained that he did not know the seriousness of his son’s condition and claimed that the treadmill punishment did not cause his death. However, prosecutors argued that Gregor’s actions directly resulted in Corey’s passing. The boy’s mother, Breanna Micciolo, expressed her anguish and anger towards Gregor in court, stating that she wishes him nothing but the worst for what he did to their son.
Surveillance footage revealed Gregor carrying Corey’s lifeless body to the hospital on the day of his death. Medical professionals noted that the child was unable to speak when brought in and later succumbed to blunt force injuries to his chest and stomach. The autopsy results confirmed the tragic cause of Corey’s death, leading to Gregor’s conviction on charges of manslaughter and endangering the welfare of a child.
Despite attempts by Gregor’s defense to argue that Corey’s death was due to an infection rather than injuries sustained on the treadmill, the jury rejected this claim. Breanna Micciolo urged the judge to impose the maximum sentence on Gregor, emphasizing that his actions were driven by spite and a lack of love for their son.
The prosecutor announced that Gregor would be subject to the “No Early Release Act,” ensuring that he serves at least 85% of his sentence before being eligible for parole. While Gregor avoided a murder conviction that could have led to a life sentence, the tragic loss of young Corey Micciolo has left a lasting impact on his family and the community.
Breanna Micciolo’s emotional plea for justice and closure serves as a reminder of the profound consequences of parental abuse and neglect. The case highlights the importance of recognizing and addressing signs of child endangerment and seeking appropriate support and intervention to prevent such heartbreaking tragedies from recurring in the future.
