Timothy Hauschultz in Manitowoc County court, February 24, 2025. PC: Fox 11 Online
MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A judge rejected two attempts at a plea deal Monday for Timothy Hauschultz on charges he ordered the punishment which led to the 2018 death of Ethan Hauschultz, 7, setting case on course for a February trial.
Timothy Hauschultz faces eight counts, including felony murder, in the case. Timothy Hauschultz was the boy’s legal guardian when the child was found dead in a snowbank at a town of Newton home in April 2018. Timothy Hauschultz’s son, Damian, was convicted of causing Ethan’s death.
Hauschultz wanted to enter an Alford plea Monday to two charges: failure to act, and neglecting a child. In an Alford plea, the defendant maintains his innocence but acknowledges the state has enough evidence to gain a conviction.
Ethan Hauschultz’s mother testified she’s not opposed to a plea agreement, she just refuses to accept the state’s recommendation of time served as a sentence.
But Calumet County Judge Carey Reed, who was assigned the case in June, criticized the defendant’s refusal to take accountability for his actions, and said he wouldn’t accept the plea.
After a conference, there was an attempt for a second plea deal, but that was also rejected.
The hearing continues, with the attorneys arguing motions in the case. There is currently a Feb. 23 trial scheduled.
Among the motions decided:
- The state’s request to change Count 1 to child neglect, death as a consequence, was approved
- The defense’s request to pick a jury from outside Manitowoc County was denied
- The defense’s request to have the jury sequestered was denied
These were the second and third attempts at a plea deal. In February, Judge Jerilyn Dietz rejected a plea deal — which would have seen Hauschultz convicted of two counts being party to child abuse – intentionally causing harm — because she said it was not in the public interest. Judge Dietz later removed herself from the case due to a conflict of interest issue.
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.
Hauschultz was arrested in February 2019, and ordered held on a $100,000 cash bond, which he was unable to post. His case was delayed for several years because of his son’s case. While Damian’s trial and appeals were pending, Damian was considered unavailable for Tim’s trial. Eventually, Tim’s bond was reduced to $75,000, which he posted in May 2022.
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 last year.
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