Photo: Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office
Ethan Hauschultz died in April 2018 after he was severely beaten and buried in the snow at the home of his court-appointed guardians, Timothy and Tina Hauschultz,according to a statementfrom the Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office.
After a months-long investigation, the couple and their 15-year-old son Damian Hauschultz were all arrested and charged on Feb. 1 in connection with Ethan’s death. The trio appeared in adult court on Monday but it was not immediately clear if any of them has entered a plea.
“Over the course of 1-1.5 hours, the 15-year-old hit, kicked, struck and poked Ethan numerous times. He repeatedly shoved Ethan to the ground and rolled the heavy log across Ethan’s chest. He stood on his body and head while Ethan was face-down in a puddle. He ultimately buried Ethan completely in snow,” the sheriff’s office alleged in astatement.
The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office determined Ethan died from hypothermia and blunt force injuries to his head, chest and abdomen. “Ethan died following strenuous physical punishment outdoors and prolonged environmental exposure while covered/buried in snow,” the sheriff’s office said.
Damian allegedly told investigators when Ethan became unresponsive, he thought the boy was just resisting and he buried the child under what he estimated was 80 lbs. of snow and ice, which he called “his own little coffin of snow,” reports WBAY.
Timothy and Tina were not home, according to the criminal complaint, which stated that the couple took Ethan to a local hospital after coming home. The child was pronounced dead at the hospital.
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Timothy is charged with being party to the crimes of felony murder, intent to contribute to the delinquency of a child resulting in death, physical abuse of a child intentionally causing bodily harm and misdemeanor battery.
Tina is charged with being party to the crimes of contributing to the delinquency of a child resulting in death and failing to act to prevent bodily harm to a child.
Damian, who is being held in a juvenile detention center, is charged with first-degree reckless homicide, physical abuse of a child intentionally causing bodily harm and substantial battery.
A judge set Timothy Hauschultz’s bond at $100,000, Tina’s bond at $75,000 and Damian’s bond is set at $150,000.
According to WBAY, Timothy’s attorney Donna Kuchler told the judge on Monday, “Never in Mr. Hauschultz’s wild imagination would what happened ever happen. His son was … certainly old enough to leave with younger children. There was nothing happening in the home that morning. Everything was normal. No idea that it would rise to the level that it did.”
Kuchler did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
An attorney representing both Tina and Damian did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
They are scheduled to return to court on Feb. 11.
source: people.com
