Man claimed 3-month-old with 15 rib fractures and swollen head fell out of bed, then started breaking down when asked about what really happened: Police

A Wisconsin man accused of severely abusing a 3-month-old baby boy is facing serious criminal charges after medical professionals discovered a shocking pattern of injuries that authorities say could not have been caused by a simple fall from a bed.

According to court records, 27-year-old David Schmies was charged with physical abuse of a child in connection with a December 2022 incident involving an infant who suffered numerous fractures and other traumatic injuries. Prosecutors allege the injuries were the result of repeated abuse over time rather than a single accident.

Relative Discovers Infant in Distress

The case began on Dec. 13, 2022, when one of Schmies’ relatives reportedly noticed something was seriously wrong with the baby. Court documents indicate that the relative observed the infant had poor coloring and a visibly swollen head.

According to investigators, the relative encountered the child while Schmies was getting out of the shower. When concerns were raised about the infant’s condition, Schmies allegedly responded by saying, “Yeah, he’ll be fine.”

However, when the relative continued asking questions about what had happened to the baby, Schmies reportedly began crying, raising further concerns about the circumstances surrounding the child’s injuries. The infant was subsequently taken to a hospital for medical evaluation.

Doctors Discover Extensive Injuries

Medical personnel who examined the child found injuries that authorities described as consistent with repeated physical abuse.

The infant reportedly had bruises across multiple areas of his body. Medical staff determined that the bruising was most likely the result of ongoing abuse rather than an accidental injury. Investigators later learned that the baby had suffered an astonishing 15 rib fractures.

According to medical experts cited in court records, the rib fractures were likely caused by the child being squeezed with significant force. Doctors also discovered multiple fractures in both of the infant’s legs.

Medical professionals concluded that the leg injuries appeared consistent with the child’s limbs being forcefully yanked or pulled. The injuries were particularly alarming because they were found to be in various stages of healing, suggesting they had occurred over an extended period rather than during a single incident.

Skull Fracture and Brain Bleeding Raise Further Concerns

The baby’s injuries extended beyond broken bones.

Court documents reveal that doctors also found a skull fracture and evidence of bleeding on the brain. Combined with the numerous fractures and bruises, the findings convinced medical professionals that the injuries were not consistent with an accidental fall.

The severity and variety of the injuries prompted authorities to launch a criminal investigation into how the child had been harmed.

Claim That Baby Fell Off Bed Disputed by Medical Experts

When questioned about the child’s condition, Schmies allegedly told investigators that the injuries occurred when the baby fell off a bed.

Medical staff strongly disputed that explanation.

Doctors reportedly informed investigators that the extensive injuries—including numerous rib fractures, leg fractures, a skull fracture, brain bleeding, and widespread bruising—could not reasonably be explained by a fall from a bed. The presence of injuries in different stages of healing further suggested repeated trauma over time.

Criminal Charges Filed

Following the investigation, authorities arrested Schmies, who was 22 years old at the time of the alleged abuse.

He was charged with physical abuse of a child involving repeated acts that intentionally caused harm. After his arrest, he was booked into the Portage County Jail.

Authorities have not publicly specified the exact relationship between Schmies and the infant victim. Despite the extensive injuries, the baby survived.

Ongoing Court Proceedings

The case has experienced several delays since charges were first filed.

According to local reports, Schmies declined a plea agreement offered by prosecutors. His trial has been postponed multiple times, extending the legal process.

At the time of the latest court proceedings, Schmies was being held at the Kettle Moraine Correctional Institution on unrelated matters. Court records indicate that a pretrial hearing is scheduled for Aug. 12, while jury selection and trial proceedings are expected to begin on Aug. 31 unless additional delays occur.

Pattern of Injuries Became Key Evidence

Investigators and medical experts have pointed to the pattern of injuries as one of the most significant aspects of the case.

The combination of 15 rib fractures, multiple leg fractures, bruising throughout the body, a fractured skull, and brain bleeding, along with evidence that many injuries were healing at different rates, formed the foundation of prosecutors’ allegations that the infant had been subjected to repeated abuse.

Those findings ultimately led authorities to reject the explanation that the injuries resulted from a simple fall and to pursue felony child abuse charges against Schmies. The criminal case remains pending as he awaits trial.