A father from Indiana, United States, has been sentenced to a maximum prison sentence of 16 years after his six-month-old baby was severely disfigured in a rat attack in what prosecutors described as a “house of horrors”. Was described.
In September 2023, the infant was found soaked in blood from more than 50 rat bites. According to the local Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office, David Schonbaum called 911 from his home and said his infant son was covered in blood in his bassinet. The father told first responders that the house was infested with rats. “The 6-month-old baby was found covered in blood in his bassinet, with more than 50 bite marks on his body, including his face and limbs. The infant’s right hand suffered the most painful injuries, all four of its fingers and the thumb was missing and exposing the bones of the fingers,” the prosecutor’s office said.
It said the rat attack had left the child “permanently disfigured” and as a result, he would “suffer pain throughout his life”.
Prosecutor Diana Moores said, “This case is horrific, and we will live forever with the images of this child. It is completely shocking to the conscience that anyone would live in these conditions, much less allow their children, babies and animals to live amidst complete filth when they cannot help themselves,” He added, “This kid lived in a horrible home. With my siblings and pet dog.”
Shonabaum was convicted in September 2024 of three felony charges related to neglect and endangerment of her children. According to a report by Fox 59, he was sentenced to 16 years in prison on October 2, 2024. The child’s mother, Angel Schonbaum, took a plea agreement last week and sentencing is scheduled for later this month. Meanwhile, the child’s aunt, Delaina Thurman, received a probation sentence earlier this year for her role in the neglect.
The family’s home was found to be in a state of extreme neglect, with authorities describing it as infested with rats, full of disarray, and filled with trash, insects, and rat feces. According to the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office, “three children in the home were bitten by rats before the 6-month-old was injured,” noting the involvement of the Indiana Department of Child Services. Despite interventions and warnings, conditions at home remained unchanged, putting children at risk.
Prosecutor Diana Moores said, “It is unimaginable how a rat was able to cause so much harm to this infant before his father sought help.”
