Timothy Hauschultz is a Wisconsin man facing trial in connection with the 2018 death of his seven-year-old great-nephew, Ethan Hauschultz. Prosecutors allege that Timothy, who was Ethan’s court-appointed guardian, ordered a severe punishment that was carried out by his teenage son, Damian. Ethan was later found unresponsive in a snowbank and died.
Hauschultz is not accused of personally carrying out every act described in the criminal complaint. The state’s case centers on whether he directed or enabled the punishment and can be held legally responsible for the child’s death. He has pleaded not guilty, and the charges remain allegations unless proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
What happened to Ethan Hauschultz?
Ethan died on April 20, 2018, at a home in the town of Newton in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin. Court records say the child had been subjected to physical punishment after he failed to meet expectations involving the memorization of Bible verses.
According to allegations described in the criminal complaint, Ethan was made to carry a heavy log around the property. Prosecutors say Damian Hauschultz, who was 14 at the time, was instructed to supervise the punishment. The complaint describes further abuse, including striking Ethan, holding him in a puddle and covering him with snow.
Timothy and his wife, Tina McKeever-Hauschultz, were Ethan’s court-appointed guardians. They were not at the house during the punishment, according to court records. When Ethan was later taken to a hospital, he was unresponsive, severely cold and suffering from multiple injuries. Medical efforts to save him were unsuccessful.
The official cause of death was identified as hypothermia caused by environmental cold exposure, with blunt-force injuries to the head, chest and abdomen listed as significant contributing conditions.
Who is Timothy Hauschultz?
Timothy Hauschultz is a Manitowoc County-area resident who was serving as Ethan’s court-appointed guardian when the child died. Public attention has focused on his role within the household and on the question of whether a guardian can be criminally liable for directing a punishment that another person physically carried out.
Hauschultz is also the father of Damian Hauschultz, who was a teenager when Ethan died. Damian was prosecuted separately. He pleaded guilty to first-degree reckless homicide and related offenses and received a sentence of 20 years of initial confinement followed by 10 years of extended supervision. A Wisconsin appeals court later upheld his conviction after he challenged statements made during the investigation.
That separate case is important because Damian is a central figure in the allegations against Timothy. Prosecutors have argued that Damian’s testimony and account of what happened are significant to the state’s case. Damian has also asserted his constitutional right against self-incrimination, creating additional legal complications over whether and how he may testify.
What charges does Timothy Hauschultz face?
Hauschultz’s case has changed procedurally over several years. Earlier charging documents included allegations such as felony murder, child abuse, battery and contributing to the delinquency of a child. By the time jury selection began in October 2026, he faced six felony counts.
The current case includes allegations involving:
- Neglecting a child when death was a consequence;
- Intentionally contributing to the delinquency of a child resulting in death; and
- Child-abuse-related conduct connected to the punishment imposed on Ethan.
The exact legal theory matters. The prosecution does not simply have to show that Ethan was abused. It must prove the elements of each charged offense and establish Timothy’s responsibility under Wisconsin law. The defense is entitled to challenge the reliability of witness accounts, the interpretation of Timothy’s conduct and the connection between any alleged order and Ethan’s death.
When did Timothy Hauschultz’s trial begin?
A 14-member jury was selected in Manitowoc County Circuit Court on October 12, 2026. Opening statements were scheduled for October 13, 2026, with the trial expected to last approximately two weeks.
The case has faced repeated delays. One significant issue involved Damian’s separate criminal proceedings and his status as a potential witness. Both prosecutors and defense lawyers have treated his testimony as important, while his own legal position has made his participation uncertain.
Hauschultz also entered plea discussions with prosecutors on more than one occasion. Judges rejected proposed agreements, including a proposed Alford plea that would have allowed him to maintain his innocence while acknowledging that prosecutors had sufficient evidence to obtain a conviction. Because those agreements were not accepted, the case proceeded toward trial.
What is the prosecution expected to argue?
The prosecution’s central argument is that Timothy created or authorized the punishment and placed responsibility for carrying it out on his teenage son. The state is expected to focus on Timothy’s authority as a guardian, the instructions allegedly given to Damian and the sequence of events that ended with Ethan’s death.
Prosecutors may also argue that Timothy’s absence from the house does not eliminate responsibility. Under the state’s theory, the question is whether he ordered, encouraged or otherwise contributed to conduct that foreseeably endangered Ethan.
Evidence in the case may include statements made during the investigation, testimony from family members and law-enforcement officers, medical evidence and records concerning the guardianship arrangement. The allegations contained in a criminal complaint are not proof by themselves; they must be tested through testimony and other evidence in court.
What is the defense likely to dispute?
The defense can challenge whether Timothy gave the instructions prosecutors attribute to him and whether the evidence proves that he intended or knowingly contributed to the abuse. It may also dispute the credibility of witnesses, the interpretation of statements and the prosecution’s attempt to connect Timothy’s conduct to the medical cause of death.
Earlier litigation in the broader Hauschultz cases also involved questions about police interviews, constitutional rights and the admissibility of statements. Those issues illustrate why the case has taken years to reach a full trial.
Timothy’s legal status should be stated carefully: he is a criminal defendant facing serious charges, not a person convicted of murdering Ethan. The word “murder” has appeared in descriptions of the case because felony-murder allegations were part of earlier charging documents, but a conviction has not been entered against Timothy in connection with Ethan’s death.
What happened to Timothy Hauschultz’s wife?
Tina McKeever-Hauschultz, Ethan’s other court-appointed guardian and Timothy’s wife, was also charged in the case. She later entered a no-contest plea to child-abuse-related charges and was sentenced to five years in prison.
Her case is separate from Timothy’s trial. Her plea and sentence do not establish Timothy’s guilt, although prosecutors may rely on evidence from the broader investigation when presenting their case.
What is Timothy Hauschultz’s current status?
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As of October 13, 2026, Timothy Hauschultz is on trial in Manitowoc County Circuit Court. The jury has been selected, and the case is proceeding through opening statements and witness testimony.
No verdict had been reported at the start of the trial. The outcome will depend on whether jurors find that the state proved every required element of the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Who is Timothy Hauschultz?
He is a Wisconsin man and former court-appointed guardian of Ethan Hauschultz who is facing felony charges connected to the child’s 2018 death.
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Who was Ethan Hauschultz?
Ethan was seven years old when he died in April 2018 after suffering severe cold exposure and blunt-force injuries during an alleged punishment at a Manitowoc County-area home.
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Is Timothy Hauschultz accused of murder?
Earlier charging documents included a felony-murder allegation, but the current case involves six felony counts, including child neglect resulting in death and contributing to a child’s delinquency resulting in death. He has not been convicted.
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Did Timothy Hauschultz personally abuse Ethan?
Prosecutors allege that Timothy ordered or directed the punishment. They say the physical acts were carried out by his teenage son, Damian. The trial will determine Timothy’s legal responsibility.
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What happened to Damian Hauschultz?
Damian was prosecuted separately and received 20 years of initial confinement followed by 10 years of extended supervision after pleading guilty to first-degree reckless homicide and related offenses.
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What happened to Tina McKeever-Hauschultz?
She entered a no-contest plea to child-abuse-related charges and was sentenced to five years in prison.
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When did Timothy Hauschultz’s trial start?
Jury selection concluded on October 12, 2026, and opening statements were scheduled for October 13, 2026, in Manitowoc County Circuit Court.
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Has Timothy Hauschultz been convicted?
No. As of October 13, 2026, he remains a defendant on trial and is presumed innocent unless prosecutors prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
Timothy Hauschultz’s case concerns the legal responsibility of a guardian who allegedly ordered a dangerous punishment that was carried out by someone else. The facts surrounding Ethan’s death are largely drawn from court filings and prior proceedings, but the final question—whether Timothy is criminally responsible—remains for the jury to decide.
