The mother of a child disfigured by more than 50 rat bites pleaded guilty: prosecutors

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (TNND) — Mother 6-month-old baby seriously injured after being repeatedly bitten by rats pleaded guilty to multiple neglect charges, according to Indiana prosecutors.

The Vanderburgh County District Attorney’s Office said Angel Schonabaum was arraigned Thursday on three counts of child neglect, including neglect resulting in serious bodily injury, and two counts of neglect of a dependent involving each of her three children.

Prosecutor Diane Moers said the incident occurred on Sept. 13, 2023, when Angel’s husband, David Schonabaum, called 911 from their home and said he found his son covered in blood.

Moers said the baby was “severely maimed by rats” with at least 50 wounds.

“The six-month-old baby was found in her crib in a pool of blood with more than 50 bite marks on her body, including her face and limbs,” Moers said, adding that the house was infested with rats. “The baby’s right hand suffered the most traumatic injuries: all four fingers and the thumb were stripped of flesh and the fingertips were exposed.

Moers said Angel was sentenced to four years in prison and David was previously sentenced to 16 years in prison on similar neglect charges and for his role in a case involving their child.

Prosecutors highlighted the disparity in sentencing between the parents, noting that Angel was not home at the time of the rat bite incident.

“The father in this case was the only one living in the house at the time of the rat bite incident (the mother had left and not returned nearly 2 weeks prior) and thus his case is completely different from the facts for which we can prosecute the mother to responsibility.” in favor,” Moers said.

Moers added that Angel is being prosecuted for failing to provide “adequate living conditions for her children.” Angel also lost custody of the children.

“She was held accountable for the deplorable conditions of the home, for which she was responsible while living there, for which she was offered numerous services to help clean the home, and for failing to cooperate in removing the children from the home. . This case ultimately resulted in the loss of custody of her children,” Moers said in a statement.

“It is vital that your environment is clean and free of litter, feces, litter and other hazards to your children and pets. If you are struggling with mental illness, you need to seek help and remove children and any animals. — from dangerous and unsanitary conditions that pose a threat to their health and safety — if you fail to do so, you will be held accountable,” Moers added.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: WKRC contributed to this report.