Mumbai, September 1: In a tragic incident in Indiana, US, a rat attack disfigured a six-month-old's baby face permanently in September 2023. Following the incident, the father of the baby was imprisoned for sixteen years for neglect in September 2024. He is facing three felony counts concerning the neglect and endangerment of his children.

An infant was found severely injured, covered in blood and with over 50 rat bites. David Schonabaum, the father, reported to 911 that his 6-month-old son was in his bassinet and mentioned a rat infestation in the house. According to the prosecutor's office, the baby's right hand had the worst injuries, with all four fingers and the thumb missing flesh, revealing the bones. US Shocker: Man Stabs Mother to Death, Injures Father for Refusing Him Night Stay at Their House in Ohio, Arrested.

Prosecutor Diana Moers described the case as horrific, stating that the images of the baby would be unforgettable. She expressed disbelief that anyone could live in such conditions and allow their children, including a baby and pets, to exist in absolute filth. She added that the baby lived in a true "house of horrors" alongside his siblings and pet dog. US Shocker: 13-Year-Old Girl Allegedly Stabs 7-Year-Old Sister to Death Over ‘Flushing the Toilet’ at Home in Michigan, Arrested.

David Schonabaum was convicted in September 2024 on three felony charges of neglecting and endangering his children, receiving a 16-year prison sentence on October 2, 2024. Meanwhile, Angel Schonabaum, the child's mother, reached a plea agreement and is scheduled for sentencing later this month, while Delaina Thurman, the baby’s aunt, was given probation earlier this year for her role in the neglect.

Officials discovered the family's home in a deplorable state, overrun with rats, cluttered with trash, and infested with bugs and droppings. The Vanderburgh County Prosecutor's Office reported that three other children in the home had been bitten by rats prior to the infant's injuries, prompting the Indiana Department of Child Services to intervene. Despite multiple warnings and attempts to address the situation, the dangerous living conditions continued, leaving the children vulnerable.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 03, 2024 12:49 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).