Mom of Baby Who Nearly Died From Over 50 Rat Bites Sentenced to Probation
Angel Renee Schonabaum/Facebook
An Indiana mother, Angel Schonabaum, has been sentenced to probation after her 6-month-old son was found severely injured, with more than 50 rat bites covering his body. The sentencing follows a disturbing case that highlighted severe neglect and unsafe living conditions.
On Thursday, October 24, Schonabaum pleaded guilty to one count of neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury, along with two additional counts of neglect of a dependent. The Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the charges in a statement. Schonabaum was initially sentenced to four years in prison, but with credit for the year she had already served, the remaining three years were suspended. She will now serve probation instead.
This sentencing comes just weeks after her husband, David Schonabaum, received a 16-year prison sentence for his involvement in the incident. He was convicted of similar charges, including neglect and serious bodily injury. Prosecutors stated that the infant was under David’s care at the time of the attack, as Angel had moved out of the home weeks earlier.
On September 13, 2023, David called 911 from their home in Evansville, Indiana, reporting that he had found his infant son covered in blood in his bassinet. Authorities revealed that the baby had over 50 rat bites, with the most severe injuries occurring on his right hand. The statement detailed that all four fingers and the thumb on the infant’s hand had “missing flesh, exposing the fingertip bones.”
Further investigation revealed the grim conditions in the home. Police discovered rodent footprints in the blood in the bassinet, along with clutter, trash, and discarded food throughout the room—much of it partially eaten by rodents. Rodent feces were also present, indicating an infestation. Indiana news station WLFI News 18 reported these findings, emphasizing the severe neglect.
According to the statement, the Department of Child Services had been providing services to address the home’s safety concerns prior to the incident. Authorities noted that Angel Schonabaum had been “offered multiple services to assist with the clean-up of the home” but did not cooperate, nor did she remove her children from the unsafe environment.
“Angel was held accountable for the deplorable conditions of the home which she was responsible for when residing there,” prosecutors stated. They added that her failure to cooperate with services ultimately led to her losing custody of her children.
As part of her sentence, Angel was ordered to have no contact with her children and must undergo a mental health evaluation. This case underscores the severe consequences of neglect and highlights the ongoing efforts by authorities to protect the welfare of children in dangerous situations.
If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
