Timothy Hauschultz in Manitowoc County court, February 24, 2025. PC: Fox 11 Online
MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – An Oct. 1 trial date was set Wednesday for Timothy Hauschultz, who faces charges for allegedly ordering the punishment which lead to the death of Ethan Hauschultz, 7, in 2018.
Hauschultz faces eight counts, including felony murder, in the death of his 7-year-old great-nephew, Ethan Hauschultz, in Manitowoc County. Timothy Hauschultz was the boy’s legal guardian when the child was found dead in a snowbank. Timothy Hauschultz’s son, Damian, was convicted of causing Ethan’s death.
His trial was scheduled to start this week, but after Judge Jerilyn Dietz rejected a plea deal and a subsequent request for her to remove herself from the case because of that ruling, the trial was postponed was to allow the defense to appeal those rulings before trial.
Anticipating the appeals court process will be completed by then, an Oct. 1 trial was scheduled Wednesday. At least seven days are planned for the case.
Several defense motions to modify his bond were also addressed Wednesday. Hauschultz will be allowed to have contact with his now-adult daughter, and with his wife, Tina McKeever-Hauschultz. Also, Hauschultz was given more flexibility to attend Bible study classes.
According to the criminal complaint, on April 20, 2018, Timothy told his son, Damian Hauschultz, then 14, to make sure Ethan completed his punishment.
That included, according to the complaint, Ethan Hauschultz being required to carry the log for two hours around a path in the backyard of their home. Damian said he had to carry wood for not knowing 13 Bible verses to Timothy’s satisfaction. The punishment was one week of carrying wood for two hours per day. Timothy picked out the logs, but Damian had to supervise the punishment for the younger children.
During that time the complaint says Ethan Hauschultz “struggled to carry his log” and Damian did “hit, kick, strike and poke Ethan approximately 100 times.” The complaint goes on to say Damian Hauschultz also stood on Ethan Hauschultz’s “body and head” while he was “face-down in a puddle.” The complaint also alleges 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.
Neither Timothy Hauschultz, nor his wife, Tina McKeever-Hauschultz, was home when Ethan died.
Damian Hauschultz, now 21, pleaded guilty to reckless homicide and was sentenced to 20 years in prison for Ethan’s death.
Tina McKeever-Hauschultz served a five-year prison term for her role in the events leading up to and failing to prevent Ethan’s death. She was released to extended supervision in January 2024.
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