MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – 7-year-old Ethan Hauschultz died during a spring snowstorm in April 2018.
Police say Damian Hauschultz forced him to carry logs around his family’s property as a punishment, while he was beaten and tortured in the freezing cold.
“His death was hypothermia with contributing factors of blunt force trauma,” said detective Christine Bessler with the Manitowoc County Sheriff’s office.
Bessler described Ethan’s injuries as overwhelming and Damian’s reaction as unconcerned.
“I recall him telling me that when Ethan fell he didn’t help him up, because he didn’t feel sorry for him, that the purpose was punishment.”
District Attorney Jacalyn LaBre points to the detective’s testimony as the reason Damian Hauschultz’s case should remain in adult court.
“This is extreme prolonged violence at a child. He was taking out his frustration, he was taking out his anger and he was taking it out on a young child who disrupted his life and his fun.”
Damian Hauschultz’s attorney, Russell Jones, argued that Damian endured the same abuse and was only doing what he knew.
“I think there’s a chasm between an adult doing this and a 14-year-old boy doing this, who had been through this, had experienced it and endured it himself, and who quite frankly had no forethought that this could end up in death.”
Monday was a continuation of the hearing that began in October.
A social worker and forensic psychologist both said they believe Hauschultz is best suited for the juvenile system.
Both sides also pointed to whether or not Damian Hauschultz will receive adequate treatment in whichever facility he goes to.
The judge will announce the decision of whether Damian will be tried in adult or juvenile court on January 9th.
Damian Hauschultz’s parents are also facing charges in this case.
