‘House of horrors’: Father convicted after infant found with rat bites nearly died

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WJW) – An Indiana man was found guilty of three felonies after his infant was found with rat bites and nearly died.

According to a press release from the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office , David Schonabaum was found guilty related to the neglect and endangerment of his children on Sept. 11.

According to the release , Schonabaum called 911 on Sept. 13, 2023, after he said he found his infant son in his basement covered in blood. First responders said it was clear that there was a rat infestation at the home on Linwood Avenue in Evansville at the time of the call.

The 6-month-old baby was found in his bassinet in a “pool of blood” with over 50 bites to his body including his face, according to the release .

According to the release , an investigation into the situation at the home found that the Department of Child Services was already providing services at the home due to safety concerns with the condition of the house.

“A third-party provider had also been assisting the family. A representative from that company revealed that, despite their assistance, any progress in the conditions of the house was fleeting,” the release said. “The provider made clear to David Schonabaum that his participation was necessary for providing the children with a safe house to live in, but the problems that needed addressed were never resolved.”

According to the release , three children had been bitten by rats inside the home prior to the 6-month-old’s injuries.

During Schonabaum’s trial, a medical professional testified, saying the infant nearly died from blood loss due to his injuries.

“This baby now faces permanent injuries from this incident,” the release said.

Prosecutor Diana Moers said, “David Schonabaum was found guilty as charged by a jury including the lead charge of Neglect of a Dependent Causing Serious Bodily Injury which is a Level 3 Felony that carries a potential maximum sentence of 16 years. The victim in this case was a 6-month-old baby who suffered horrific rat bites to his entire body while lying in a bassinet in his home – which permanently disfigured him. The home he was forced to live in with his young siblings was overrun by rats and bugs, and the photos of the home show it full of trash and rat feces. This baby lived in an absolute house of horrors along with his siblings and pet dog.”

A sentencing for Schonabaum is now scheduled for Oct. 2 in the Vanderburgh County Superior Court.

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