An Indiana mother, Angel Schonabaum, was sentenced to probation after her 6-month-old son was found seriously injured, with more than 50 rat bites covering his body. The sentencing follows a disturbing case that highlighted gross negligence and unsafe living conditions.
On Thursday, Oct. 24, Schonabaum pleaded guilty to one count of neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury, along with two additional counts of neglect of a dependent. He Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the charges in a statement. Schonabaum was initially sentenced to four years in prison, but with credit for the year she had already served, the remaining three years were suspended. He will now serve parole.
This sentencing comes just weeks after her husband, David Schonabaum, received a 16-year prison sentence for his role in the incident. He was found guilty of similar charges, including negligence and grievous bodily harm. Prosecutors stated that the baby was in David’s care at the time of the attack, as Angel had moved out of the house weeks earlier.
On September 13, 2023, David called 911 from his home in Evansville, Indiana, and reported that he had found his infant son covered in blood in his bassinet. Authorities revealed that the baby suffered more than 50 rat bites, with the most serious injuries occurring on his right hand. The statement details that the four fingers and thumb of the baby’s hand “were missing flesh, exposing the bones of the fingertips.”
Further investigation revealed the terrible conditions in the home. Police discovered rodent prints in the blood of the bassinet, along with clutter, trash and discarded food throughout the room, much of it partially eaten by the rodents. There was also rodent feces, indicating an infestation. indiana news station WLFI News 18 reported these findings, emphasizing the serious negligence.
According to the statementThe Department of Children’s Services had been providing services to address home safety concerns prior to the incident. Authorities noted that Angel Schonabaum had been “offered multiple services to help clean the house,” but did not cooperate or remove her children from the unsafe environment.
“Angel was held responsible for the deplorable conditions of the home for which she was responsible when she resided there,” prosecutors stated. They added that her lack of cooperation with services ultimately led to her losing custody of her children.
As part of his sentence, Angel was ordered to have no contact with his children and must undergo a mental health evaluation. This case highlights the serious consequences of negligence and highlights the continued efforts of authorities to protect the well-being of children in dangerous situations.
If you suspect child abuse, call Childhelp’s National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or visit www.childhelp.org. All calls are free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.