Mother Receives Probation After Guilty Plea for Neglect
An Indiana woman, Angel Schonabaum, has been sentenced to probation following the disfiguring injuries her 6-month-old son suffered in a rat attack. A Vanderburgh County judge sentenced the 29-year-old to four years in prison, giving her credit for one year already served and suspending the remaining three years to probation. The decision comes just weeks after her husband, David Schonabaum, received a 16-year prison sentence for his role in the neglect.
Angel Schonabaum had pleaded guilty in September to a felony count of neglect of a dependent. Her attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Severe Neglect and Horrific Injuries
The case gained attention in September 2023 when David Schonabaum called 911 to report that their infant son had been severely injured by rats inside their Evansville home. The child, only 6 months old, had sustained over 50 rat bites and required immediate hospital treatment. According to investigators, the child’s injuries were extensive, with the flesh missing from the top of all fingers on his right hand, exposing his fingertip bones. The baby was also bitten on the face, causing permanent disfigurement.
County prosecutor Diana Moers described the scene as traumatic, with paramedics finding the child lying in a blood-soaked crib. Moers highlighted the severe and permanent nature of the injuries.
Husband Receives Lengthy Prison Sentence, Mother Given Probation
While Angel Schonabaum received a probation sentence, her husband, David Schonabaum, was sentenced to the maximum 16 years in prison. A jury convicted him in September on three felony counts of neglect of a dependent.
The discrepancy in sentences is partly due to the fact that Angel was not residing in the home at the time of the incident. However, she was held responsible for the unsafe and unhygienic conditions of the residence, which were present while she lived there. The prosecutor’s office emphasized her accountability for the “deplorable” state of the home during her residence.
Housemate Also Held Accountable
The Schonabaums were living with Angel’s sister, Delaina Thurman, at the time of the incident. Investigators described the home as being filled with trash and suffering from a persistent rodent infestation.
Thurman also faced charges of neglect. She pleaded guilty to two counts and was sentenced to two years of probation, according to court records. Her sentence reflects a lesser role in the ongoing neglect that led to the child’s injuries.
