A Wisconsin judge has rejected a plea deal for Timothy Hauschultz, a Manitowoc man accused of ordering the brutal punishment that led to the death of his 7-year-old great-nephew, Ethan Hauschultz. The judge’s decision means the case will now proceed to trial.
Judge Overrules Plea Agreement
During a court hearing on Thursday, Judge Jerilyn Dietz refused to approve a plea deal that would have allowed Timothy Hauschultz to plead guilty to two felony child abuse counts in exchange for dropping six other charges, including felony murder. Dietz initially gave both sides 30 minutes to renegotiate the terms, but when the defense attorneys and prosecutors returned with the same offer, she refused to accept it. With no new agreement reached, she ordered the case to go to trial, which is set to begin on Tuesday.
Horrific Punishment Led to Child’s Death
Ethan Hauschultz died on April 20, 2018, after enduring severe physical abuse as part of a punishment ordered by his great-uncle. According to prosecutors, Timothy Hauschultz instructed the boy to carry a 45-pound log around the backyard for two hours a day for a week. He then told his son, 14-year-old Damian Hauschultz, to make sure Ethan completed the task.
Investigators say Damian escalated the punishment by repeatedly striking Ethan—hitting him nearly 100 times—standing on his head while he was facedown in a puddle, and packing his body in 80 pounds of snow for up to 30 minutes without a coat. Ethan died from hypothermia, but an autopsy also revealed extensive injuries from repeated beatings.
Court-Appointed Guardians Face Justice
Timothy Hauschultz and his wife, Tina McKeever-Hauschultz, were Ethan’s court-appointed guardians but were not home at the time of his death. Other family members involved in the case have already faced legal consequences.
Damian Hauschultz pleaded guilty to first-degree reckless homicide in 2021 and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. His appeal was rejected by the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, and the state Supreme Court declined to review his case in September 2023.
Tina McKeever-Hauschultz pleaded no contest in 2021 to charges of failing to prevent mental harm to a child and child abuse. She was sentenced to five years in prison.
Now, as Timothy Hauschultz prepares for trial, the court will determine his role in the tragic abuse and death of Ethan Hauschultz.
