Samantha J. Wishman (Marinette Co. Jail)
MARINETTE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Samantha Wishman pleaded not guilty Wednesday to reckless homicide for allegedly causing the death of her boyfriend’s 3-year-old son.
Wishman, 32, is also charged with neglecting a child-consequence is death for the June 15 death. No trial date was set. She returns to court July 9 for a status conference.
According to the criminal complaint, first responders were called to a Gilbert Street home for a child who was unresponsive and not breathing. Wishman told police the boy had fallen down the stairs the night before.
The child was taken to a hospital, but died. Police observed “significant bruising” on his head, his abdomen appeared distended, and there were bruises across other areas of his body, the complaint states. The autopsy show multiple rib fractures and a lung laceration, among other injuries.
Wishman showed police where the boy fell down the stairs, and where she said she cared for him afterwards.
During the investigation, police discovered text messages Wishman sent the father, including one which stated “I’m ready to hurt these mother (expletive) kids nobody (expletive) understands I can’t breathe so this is so much harder n now I’m having more problems breathing.”
Another child who lives in the house described Wishman using a belt on the children in the house, as well as other discipline including spanking, a wooden spoon, and slapping.
Police interviewed Wishman about two weeks after the death, telling her the injuries suffered were not consistent with a fall down the stairs, and she replied “Doesn’t make sense,” the complaint says.
“In summary, the finding of multiplanar patterned bruising; bruising in anatomically protected locations; and severe internal injuries would not be expected after a stairway fall. In my opinion, (the victim) has likely been a victim of non-accidental trauma which led to his death,” states the repot by Dr. Kristen Iniguez, Director of the Marshfield Child Advocacy Center, as quoted in the complaint.
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