MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A seven-year-long legal battle over a child’s death could be resolved today.
A plea hearing is scheduled for Timothy Hauschultz. He 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 trial was scheduled to begin next Monday.
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.
The case against Timothy Hauschultz, now 54, was delayed for several years while Damian’s case and appeals worked their way through the court system. Damian Hauschultz, now 21, pleaded guilty to reckless homicide and was sentenced to 20 years in prison for Ethan’s death.
The felony murder charge is an accusation by prosecutors that a death occurred while in the commission of a crime by the suspect. In this case, that would be the charges for child abuse and contributing to the delinquency of a child causing 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.
