Indiana father sentenced to 16 years for neglect after infant found with over 50 rat bites
An Indiana father has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for neglect after the horrifying discovery of his infant son covered in over 50 rat bites. The child, severely injured and permanently disfigured, was found in the family's home in a pool of blood, according to Fox 59.
According to local reports, the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) had visited the home just days earlier, following complaints from two of the couple's older children, who told their teachers that "mice bit their toes while they were sleeping." During the visit, the child’s aunt, DelainaThurman had dismissed the concerns, claiming the marks were merely scratches from the bed frame.
The incident occurred in 2023, when police responded to a distress call from David Schonabaum, the father, who reported finding his six-month-old son bleeding heavily. Upon arrival, authorities discovered the baby with severe injuries, including rat bites on his forehead, cheek, and nose. Medical professionals later confirmed that the injuries would likely result in permanent disfigurement.
Prosecutors argued that the father had repeatedly ignored warnings from DCS over the past two years to improve the living conditions in the home, which was described as "unclean, unsanitary, and rat-infested." They stressed the devastating impact of his neglect, highlighting the child’s lifelong disfigurement as a direct consequence of his failure to address the dangerous environment.
The infant’s mother, Angel Schonabaum, has recently accepted a plea deal and is awaiting sentencing in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, Thurman, who also lived in the home, received a probationary sentence for her role in the case.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
