PARK CITY, Utah (AP) — A man whose son froze to death after being left in a pickup while the father went hunting pleaded no contest Tuesday to negligent homicide.

Paul Wayment isn’t likely to serve jail time, however. Prosecutors said they would recommend he remain free.

Wayment, 38, was charged in the late October death of his 28-month-old son, Gage, who wandered away from the truck while his father was scouting for deer in the mountains about 35 miles east of Salt Lake City. Temperatures dipped well below freezing hours after the boy, who was wearing only pajamas, was reported missing.

The boy’s body was found after a five-day search. An autopsy concluded he froze to death.

Wayment’s plea could bring up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine, but Summit County Attorney Robert Adkins told 3rd District Judge Robert K. Hilder he would not ask for jail time and said he expects Wayment to receive probation.

“I want you to understand that I could impose jail time,” the judge said. Sentencing has been set for July 17.

Wayment left his son alone in his pickup Oct 26. When Wayment returned 30 to 40 minutes later, the boy was gone. Searchers found the body Nov. 1.

A lie-detector test showed no indication Wayment was lying when he denied intentionally leaving his son to die. He contended prosecutors were punishing him for a mistake any parent could make.

Defense attorney Glen Cook said Wayment has shown deep remorse.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page A7.