A 16-year-old Manitowoc County teenager charged in the 2018 death of Ethan Hauschultz, will be tried as an adult. Manitowoc County Circuit Judge Jerilyn Dietz ruled today that Damian Hauschultz has not met the burden of proof to move the case to juvenile court. He is facing charges of First-Degree Reckless Homicide, Child Abuse, and Substantial Battery.
According to criminal complaints Ethan was physically abused by Damian, including forcing the 7-year old boy to carry a 44- pound log around a muddy path and burying him beneath snow where he was left for about 20 to 30 minutes without a coat or boots. Ethan was taken to a local hospital where despite life-saving efforts by medical staff, he died.
The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that Ethan’s cause of death was hypothermia and blunt force injuries to his head and chest.
Damian’s parents, Tina and Timothy Hauschultz were Ethan’s court-appointed guardians. Both face charges in the case, no trial dates have been set. They return to court later this month for status conferences.
Damian Hauschultz’s next court appearance is scheduled for January 30th.
