The mother of a six-month-old baby found covered by more than 50 rat bites last year won’t spend any further time in jail.
Angel Schonabaum, who initially pleaded not guilty to neglect charges, reversed course just before her trial was to begin last month and pleaded guilty, the Evansville Courier & Press reported. At a hearing on Thursday, a judge sentenced her to four years in prison with one year of time served and three years probation.
Her husband, David Schonabaum, went to trial earlier in September and was convicted on three counts of neglect. He was sentenced on October 2 to 16 years in prison. Angel Schonabaum’s sister, Delaina Thurman, reached a deal with prosecutors earlier this year and was sentenced to 2 years probation, as CrimeOnline reported.
The Schonabaums and Thurman were arrested on September 13, 2023, when David Schonbaum reported that he had found the infant in his bassinet covered in blood. The boy was taken to a local hospital and then flown to a hospital in Indianapolis.
Police said doctors found more than 50 bites on his forehead, cheek, nose, thigh, foot, and toes. The boy’s right arm was covered in bites from the elbow to the hand, and all of his fingers showed parts missing with bone exposed. The boy had some fingers amputated and is now partially disfigured.
The home had a serious rat infestation, detectives noted.
Detectives said that child welfare workers had visted the home weeks before the child needed such serious medical attention. They substantiated a claim of neglect against the parents for not supervising their children. After the infant was hospitalized, the case manager ordered the children removed from the home.
