Damian Hauschultz arrives in Manitowoc County court June 19, 2026, to be resentenced in connection with the 2018 death of his 7-year-old relative Ethan Hauschultz. PC: Fox 11 Online
MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Damian Hauschultz’s prison term for causing the hypothermia death of his foster brother, Ethan, remained at 20 years after a re-sentencing hearing Friday, although the judge added five years of extended supervision.
Damian Hauschultz, now 22, was 14 at the time of the 2018 incident. He pleaded no contest to reckless homicide for supervising the punishment for Ethan, 7. Damian physically abused Ethan, and buried him in a snowbank, leading to his death.
However, it was discovered years later that the judge who handled the case had a conflict of interest, and shouldn’t have presided over it. Prosecutors agreed to the resentencing, which happened Friday.
At the hearing, defense attorney Karin Jonch-Clausen argued for a shorter sentence, saying the system failed Hauschultz as a child.
District Attorney Jacalyn LaBre said while Hauschultz was following orders, he made the punishment violent by beating Ethan and burying him in the snow.
Ethan’s mother, Andrea Everett, told the court about the pain and suffering the family has gone through since Ethan’s death.
Hauschultz apologized to the court, and said he wished it had never happened. He should have helped Ethan, not harmed him, Damian said.
Sheboygan County Judge Samantha Bastil maintained the 20-year prison sentence the prior judge had issued, but added five years of extended supervision, for a total of 15 years of that.
Department of Corrections records show his “maximum discharge date” as June 14, 2050, but that may change based on the new extended supervision sentence.
Damian’s resentencing clears the way for him to testify at the trial for his father, Timothy Hauschultz, who allegedly ordered Damian to supervise Ethan’s punishment.
Tim Hauschultz is scheduled to stand trial Oct. 12 on six counts, including neglecting a child – consequence is death, and intentionally contributing to the delinquency of a child – consequence is death.
He has pleaded not guilty, and maintains Damian’s actions were outside the scope of the punishment ordered.
According to the criminal complaint, on April 20, 2018, Timothy told Damian to make sure Ethan completed his punishment. That included, according to the complaint, Ethan being required to carry a log for two hours around a path in the backyard of their home.
Damian said Ethan 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 “struggled to carry his log” and Damian did “hit, kick, strike and poke Ethan approximately 100 times.” The complaint goes on to say Damian also stood on Ethan’s “body and head” while he was “face-down in a puddle.” The complaint also alleges Damian buried Ethan in about “80 pounds of packed snow” where he was left for about 20 to 30 minutes without a coat or boots.
Neither Timothy nor his wife, Tina McKeever-Hauschultz, were home when Ethan died. Timothy was the legal guardian for Ethan, his great-nephew, when the death happened.
Timothy was arrested in February 2019 and 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 Timothy’s trial. Eventually, Timothy’s bond was reduced to $75,000, which he posted in May 2022.
McKeever-Hauschultz served a five-year prison term for her role in the events leading up to Ethan’s death and failing to prevent it. She was released on extended supervision in January 2024. Her supervision lasts until January 2029, state records show.
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