Michigan Teen Loses Thumbs After Homemade Bomb Accidentally Explodes In Classroom; Father Pleads Guilty

A Michigan dad has pleaded guilty to federal charges after a homemade bomb he designed accidentally exploded in his teen son's classroom.

David Saylor, 33, of Brooks Township, entered a guilty plea Thursday to charges of possession of an unregistered destructive device or pipe bomb and possession of a stolen firearm. The explosion happened on March 8 after his 16-year-old son brought the homemade explosive to Newaygo High School.

The teenager, who helped his dad make the explosive, had taken it to his school to show his friends but it inadvertently exploded in his hands. The boy lost both his thumbs in the blast. Several students and a teacher suffered minor injuries.

Police believe that the detonation was accidental and the teen did not mean to hurt anyone.

"For approximately two years, defendant and his son have researched, designed, and made explosive mixtures and improvised explosive devices at their home…," the plea agreement said, M Live reported.

After the explosion, authorities searched the teen's house and found more explosives, including a PVC bomb and a .22 rifle. Officials also found out that Saylor had bought the rifle knowing that the firearm was stolen.

The teen boy was charged as a juvenile at the state level with manufacturing or possessing a Molotov cocktail or similar device and possession of a weapon in a weapon-free school zone, Wood TV reported.

Saylor was also initially charged at the state level but the case was dropped in April in favor of the federal prosecution.

As part of the guilty plea, Saylor faces sentencing of up to 10 years in federal prison for each charge. He has also agreed to pay restitution to Newaygo High School for the damage caused by the explosion.

Saylor was sent to the Newaygo County Jail. The court has not scheduled the date of his sentencing.