Indiana Incident Leads to Shocking Conviction After Disturbing Discovery

A jury in Indiana convicted a father of neglect after his 6-month-old son suffered over 50 rat bites, leaving the infant permanently disfigured.

At a Glance

David Schonabaum found guilty of three counts of child neglect
6-month-old son suffered more than 50 rat bites, requiring emergency care
Home was severely infested with rats despite warnings from child services
Two other children in the home were also neglected
Sentencing set for October 2, with Schonabaum facing up to 16 years in prison

Horrific Neglect Uncovered in Indiana Home

David Schonabaum, 32, was convicted last week on three counts of child neglect after his 6-month-old son endured a horrific rat attack in their Indiana home. The incident, which occurred on September 13, 2023, led to the discovery of severe neglect affecting not only the infant but also two other children in the household.

Emergency responders arrived at the scene to find the baby in a blood-soaked bassinet, suffering from over 50 rat bites across his body. The injuries were so severe that parts of the child’s fingers were missing, with bone exposed on one hand. The infant required immediate medical attention, including a blood transfusion, and was airlifted to a specialized hospital in Indianapolis for treatment.

Persistent Warnings Ignored

Court records revealed that the Department of Children Services had been attempting to address the home’s unsanitary conditions for two years prior to the incident. Despite these efforts and the provision of reusable rat traps by a pest control specialist, Schonabaum failed to take adequate action to protect his children from the severe rat infestation.

According to David Harris with Law & Crime, “A jury in Indiana convicted a father whose 6-month-old son suffered 50 rat bites after their home became infested with the vermin, court records say.”

Prosecutor Diana Moers emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that the home was “unclean, unsanitary, rat-infested.” The jury found that Schonabaum had “knowingly” placed his children in danger by failing to address the infestation and maintain a safe living environment.

A jury in Indiana found a father guilty of three counts of child neglect. The man's 6-month-old son was found with dozens of rat bites on September 2023. https://t.co/4FDRQMu483

— 6 News WOWT (@WOWT6News) September 13, 2024

Family’s History of Neglect

The investigation uncovered a troubling history of neglect within the household. Schonabaum, his wife Angel, and her sister Delaina Thurman were all arrested in connection with the incident. The family had been living rent-free in exchange for house upkeep, but allowed the property to deteriorate into a hazardous state.

“The victim in this case was a 6-month-old baby who suffered horrific rat bites to his entire body while lying in a bassinet in his home,” Moers said. “When paramedics and police arrived, the infant was laying in his crib in a pool of blood and the bites were so bad on his body—including his face, mouth, and extremities—that they left bone showing on one hand, and he is now permanently disfigured.”

Prior to the rat attack, there were indications of ongoing issues. Other children in the home had reported being bitten by mice at school, and a previous case against the parents for child supervision problems had been opened in December 2022. Maglinger Home Based Services had been working with the family since April, noting poor home conditions throughout their involvement.

Legal Consequences and Child Welfare

Following the incident, all five children were removed from the home and placed in protective custody. David Schonabaum now faces up to 16 years in prison, with his sentencing scheduled for October 2. His wife, Angel Schonabaum, is awaiting trial, while Delaina Thurman has reportedly accepted a plea deal.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of maintaining a safe home environment for children and the severe consequences that can result from neglect. It also highlights the need for effective intervention by child protective services when warning signs of neglect are present.