MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ) – Three people charged in the death of a 7-year-old Manitowoc County boy were in court on Monday.
Cash bonds were set for 15-year-old Damian Hauschultz and his parents, 48-year-old Timothy Hauschultz and 35-year-old Tina McKeever-Hauschultz.
Damian’s cash bail was set at $150,000. Timothy’s was set at $100,000, and Tina’s was set at $75,000.
Court documents allege all three are to blame for the April 2018 death of Ethan Hauschultz.
Damian Hauschultz is being charged with first-degree reckless homicide and six other charges and even though he is only 15-years-old, in Wisconsin, juveniles charged with certain homicide counts are handled in adult court.
Timothy Hauschultz, Ethan’s great uncle, is charged with felony murder and five other charges.
Tina McKeever-Hauschultz, Damian’s mother, is charged with failing to prevent bodily harm and intentionally contributing to the delinquency of a child.
The criminal complaint alleges that Timothy told police that he had Ethan carry wood as a form of punishment.
On April 20, 2018, Timothy told his son Damian Hauschultz to make sure 7-year-old Ethan Hauschultz completed his punishment, according to the complaint.
Also according to the complaint, that included Ethan being required to carry a 44-pound log for two hours around a path in the backyard of their home.
During that time Ethan Hauschultz “struggled to carry his log” and Damian did “hit, kick, strike and poke Ethan approximately 100 times.”
The complaint says that Damian Hauschultz stood on top of Ethan Hauschultz’s “body and head” while he was “face-down in a puddle.”
Damian Hauschultz buried Ethan Hauschultz in about “80 pounds of packed snow” where he was left for about 20 to 30 minutes without a coat or boots, according to the complaint.
Both guardians, Timothy Hauschultz and Tina McKeever-Hauschultz, were not home at the time, according to the complaint.
In court, the attorneys of Timothy Hauschultz, Tina McKeever-Hauschultz, and Damian Hauschultz painted a different picture.
“He’s a respected member of this community,” says Donna Kuchler, Timothy Hauschultz’s attorney.
“Her [Tina’s] involvement listed in the complaint is a lot less involved than the other co-defendant,” says Kevin LePak, Tina Hauschultz’s attorney.
“Mr. Hauschultz [Damian] has been out of custody since June and has had no problems since being out of custody,” says LePak, who is also representing Damian Hauschultz.
The attorney for Timothy Hauschultz disagreed with the felony murder charge.
“Honestly, I think they’re ridiculous… and had no knowledge that Damian Hauschultz would ever become so violent,” Kuchler says.
The family of Ethan Hauschultz released the following statement to Fox 11 News:
From the parents and family of Ethan Hauschultz we are glad that justice is finally starting for our son, and kids. We are happy that there was a cash bail for each defendant. #Justice4Ethan
Damian Hauschultz, Timothy Hauschultz, and Tina McKeever-Hauschultz are set to return to court on Monday, February 11.
