7 year old Ethan’s Agonizing Final Hours

A Child’s Life Cut Short by Cruelty

On a cold April day in 2018, 7-year-old Ethan Hauschultz took his final breath. He was just a child, innocent and full of life, yet he met a fate so horrifying that it shook the entire state of Wisconsin.

His crime? Failing to memorize Bible verses.

The punishment? An excruciating ordeal that no human—let alone a child—should ever endure.

This is the harrowing story of how court-appointed guardians Timothy and Tina McKeever-Hauschultz, along with their 14-year-old son Damian, turned discipline into torture, leading to one of the most disturbing child abuse cases Wisconsin has ever seen. And even today, as the legal battles rage on, the question remains: Will justice truly be served?

A House of Horror Disguised as a Home

Ethan Hauschultz and his siblings were placed under the guardianship of Timothy and Tina McKeever-Hauschultz in 2017. To the outside world, they appeared to be a normal, God-fearing family in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin. But behind closed doors, a twisted regime of punishment and fear ruled over the children in their care.

Timothy Hauschultz was a man of strict discipline, believing in severe corporal punishment to instill obedience. His methods, however, went far beyond discipline—they were acts of calculated brutality.

Ethan, a bright but small-for-his-age boy, struggled with memorizing Bible verses—a requirement imposed by Timothy. As punishment, Timothy ordered Ethan to carry a 45-pound log around their yard for two hours a day for an entire week. But that was only the beginning of his torment.

Timothy delegated the enforcement of this punishment to his then-14-year-old son, Damian Hauschultz. What happened next defied comprehension.

A Child’s Agonizing Final Hours

Ethan, exhausted and weak, stumbled under the weight of the massive log. Instead of offering mercy, Damian responded with unimaginable cruelty.

According to court records, Damian struck Ethan repeatedly—over 100 times. As the young boy collapsed, Damian forced his face into a cold puddle, standing on his fragile head with his full weight. But his torment did not stop there. Damian packed Ethan inside an 80-pound mound of snow and left him there for 20 to 30 minutes—without a coat, without warmth, and without hope.

By the time Ethan was pulled from the snow, his small body had already begun to shut down. He was rushed to the hospital, but it was too late. Ethan was pronounced dead, his cause of death listed as hypothermia—though his tiny body was covered in bruises, blunt force trauma, and other injuries from the savage beatings he endured.

The people who were supposed to protect him had instead sentenced him to a slow, painful death.

The Legal Battle for Justice

The horror of Ethan’s death led to widespread outrage and an immediate criminal investigation.

• Damian Hauschultz, just 14 at the time, was charged as an adult and eventually pleaded guilty to first-degree reckless homicide. In 2021, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

• Tina McKeever-Hauschultz, who failed to intervene or protect Ethan, pleaded no contest to charges of failing to prevent mental harm to a child and child abuse. She was sentenced to five years in prison and has since been released.

• Timothy Hauschultz, the architect of Ethan’s suffering, was charged in 2019 with felony murder, child abuse, and battery. His trial, however, has been delayed multiple times.

A Shocking Twist in the Courtroom

Just when it seemed that Ethan’s case would finally be closed, an unexpected turn took place in February 2025. A plea deal was put forth in which Timothy Hauschultz would plead guilty to two counts of felony child abuse in exchange for having all other charges dropped.

But Judge Jerilyn Dietz wasn’t having it.

She rejected the plea agreement, calling it an insult to the severity of the crime. She demanded a new deal, giving attorneys just 30 minutes to renegotiate. When they returned with the same offer, she refused to budge.

As of now, Timothy Hauschultz’s trial is scheduled to begin on October 1, 2025, where he will finally answer for his crimes.

The Dark Past of Timothy Hauschultz

While this case alone is disturbing, it is not Timothy Hauschultz’s first brush with the law. His criminal record reveals a pattern of troubling behavior:

• 1988: Convicted of conspiracy to commit battery in Manitowoc County.

• 1989: Convicted of theft, also in Manitowoc County.

These prior offenses paint a picture of a man with a long history of violence and disregard for the law—making it all the more shocking that he was ever granted guardianship of children.

The Legacy of Ethan Hauschultz

Ethan’s tragic death was not in vain. In the wake of this case, Wisconsin lawmakers introduced “Ethan’s Law,” aimed at strengthening child protection laws to ensure that no child suffers a similar fate under the guise of discipline.

Yet, as the case drags on and Timothy Hauschultz’s trial looms, one question remains: Will true justice be served?

As we wait for the final verdict, we must remember Ethan’s name, his suffering, and the systemic failures that allowed this to happen. His story is a haunting reminder of the darkness that can hide behind closed doors—and the need to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves.

Final Thoughts

Ethan Hauschultz’s story is one that must be told, shared, and remembered. His death was a tragedy, but his legacy can serve as a catalyst for change.

If you believe in justice for Ethan and other victims of child abuse, share his story. The more people know, the harder it becomes for such horrors to be ignored.

Stay tuned as we continue to follow this case and provide updates on Timothy Hauschultz’s trial. Justice must be served.

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