EVANSVILLE, Ind. — A six-month-old baby in Evansville, Indiana, was found in a horrifying condition, nearly devoured by rats, leading to the arrest of three adults, including the child’s parents. The incident has shocked the local community, who had perceived the family as caring and responsible.
The baby was discovered in his bassinet, covered in blood, with over 50 bites on his body, including his forehead, cheek, nose, thigh, foot, and toes. His right arm was severely bitten from the elbow to his hand, with parts of his fingers missing, exposing the bones. The infant’s body temperature had dropped to 93.5 degrees, necessitating a blood transfusion.
The Evansville Police Department was alerted to the situation on September 13, when David Schonabaum, the baby’s father, reported the gruesome discovery. The baby was initially taken to a local hospital before being airlifted to another medical facility in Indianapolis for further treatment.
The Schonabaum household, which also included a three-year-old and a six-year-old, was described as cluttered, filled with trash, and infested with rat feces. Angel Schonabaum’s sister, Delaina Thurman, who lived in the same house with her two-year-old and five-year-old, was also arrested.
The Department of Child Services (DCS) had previous encounters with the Schonabaum family, including a 2022 claim of child neglect due to lack of supervision and a physical abuse claim against David Schonabaum in June 2023. Despite these past incidents, the family continued to receive services from DCS.
The Schonabaums and Thurman are now facing child neglect charges. The baby, who has since been released from the hospital, is now in a safe home under the care of DCS.