Teen sentenced in death of boy who was beaten, forced to carry log, and buried in snow

MANITOWOC COUNTY, Wis. (TCD) -- A 17-year-old was sentenced to 20 years in prison this week for the April 2018 death of his 7-year-old relative, who was beaten and buried in the snow.

According to WLUK-TV, in June, Damian Hauschultz pleaded guilty to first-degree reckless homicide in Ethan Hauschultz’s death. Six other charges against him were dropped.

According to a criminal complaint cited by WLUK, Ethan was punished because he did not know 13 Bible verses well enough to satisfy his great-uncle Timothy Hauschultz. Timothy allegedly had Damian, who was 14 at the time, be in charge of Ethan’s punishment. Timothy allegedly ordered Ethan had to carry a log every day for a week for two hours.

Timothy will reportedly go on trial soon for murder as well as other felony and misdemeanor charges. WFRV-TV reports these charges include intent to contribute to the delinquency of a child - death - party to crime and physical abuse of a child with intention to cause bodily harm - party to crime.

Timothy’s wife Tina McKeever-Hauschultz was sentenced to five years in prison for her role in failing to prevent Ethan’s death.

According to WITI-TV, Timothy Hauschultz and McKeever-Hauschultz were Ethan’s court-appointed guardians. They took Ethan to the hospital on April 20, 2018, but he died later that night.

The Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter, which cites court documents, reports Ethan was forced to carry a 44.5-pound part of a tree trunk. WLUK reports Damian did "hit, kick, strike and poke Ethan approximately 100 times." Additionally, Damian reportedly stood on Ethan’s head while the boy was "face-down in a puddle."

According to WLUK, Damian buried Ethan in "80 pounds of packed snow" even though Ethan was not wearing a coat or boots.

McKeever-Hauschultz and Timothy were reportedly out shopping when this all occurred.

Ethan’s mom Andrea Everett told WLUK at the time of his death that Ethan’s body temperature was 23 degrees when he was at the hospital.

She said, "They worked on him for five hours, giving him CPR the entire time, and still couldn’t get a heartbeat. There was no brain activity."

According to WLUK, Ethan died of hypothermia but also suffered from blunt-force trauma to his head, abdomen, and chest.

Ethan’s case inspired legislation in Wisconsin called Ethan’s Law, which does not allow children to be placed with an adult who has been convicted of child abuse, pleaded no contest to abuse, or entered a plea bargain to a lesser charge.

Records show Damian is currently booked in the Manitowoc County Jail.

MORE: