A father from Indiana, USA, has been handed the utmost jail sentence of 16 years after his six-month-old child was severely disfigured in a rat assault inside what prosecutors described as a “home of horrors.”
In September 2023, the toddler was discovered lined in blood with greater than 50 rat bites. According to the native Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office, David Schonabaum known as 911 from his home, saying his toddler son in his bassinet was lined in blood. The father instructed the primary responders that there was a rat infestation in the home. “The 6-month-old child was present in his bassinet in a pool of blood with over 50 bites to his physique together with his face and extremities. The toddler’s proper hand suffered probably the most traumatic accidents with all 4 fingers and the thumb lacking flesh and exposing the fingertip bones,” the prosecutor’s workplace mentioned.
The rat assault “completely disfigured” the child and, consequently, he’ll “undergo for a lifetime,” it added.
Prosecutor Diana Moers mentioned, “This case is horrific, and we’ll dwell with the photographs of this child without end. It is totally stunning to the conscience that anybody would dwell in these situations, a lot much less enable their youngsters, child, and animals to dwell amongst absolute filth after they can’t assist themselves,” including, “This child lived in an absolute home of horrors alongside together with his siblings and pet canine.”
Schonabaum was convicted in September 2024 on three felony fees associated to the neglect and endangerment of his youngsters. According to a report on Fox 59, he was sentenced to 16 years in jail on October 2, 2024. Angel Schonabaum, the kid’s mom, entered a plea settlement final week and is about to be sentenced later this month. Meanwhile, Delaina Thurman, the child’s aunt, acquired a sentence of probation earlier this yr for her position within the neglect.
The household’s house was discovered to be in a state of utmost neglect, with authorities describing it as infested with rats, piled excessive with muddle, and full of trash, bugs, and rat droppings. According to the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office, “Three youngsters within the house had been bitten by rats earlier than the accidents the 6-month-old had suffered,” prompting involvement from the Indiana Department of Child Services. Despite interventions and warnings, situations within the house remained unchanged, leaving the youngsters in ongoing hazard.
“It can also be unimaginable how a rat was in a position to do such harm to this toddler earlier than his father known as for assist,” added Prosecutor Diana Moers.