David Schmies.
STEVENS POINT, WI (WSAU) — A Stevens Point man has been found guilty of child abuse following a three-day trial.
The jury found David Schmies guilty after about three hours of deliberation. Court records indicate closing arguments began at approximately 2:15 PM Wednesday, with jurors excused to deliberate at around 3:50 PM.
They returned the verdict by 7:10 PM, and the 27-year-old was immediately remanded into custody. The court ordered a presentence investigation, with sentencing scheduled for December 8.
Schmies now faces decades in prison for the felony count, stemming from severe injuries inflicted on a three-month-old child in December 2021. The injuries included multiple broken bones and bleeding on the brain. Schmies initially told investigators that the boy had fallen from a bed, but doctors noted that a fall from that height could not have caused the injuries present. Medical professionals also testified that several of the broken bones were in various stages of healing.
Court records show multiple exhibits were entered into evidence, including X-rays, CT scans, and photos. One doctor testified alongside a handful of other witnesses identified in court documents by their initials.
In a press release, Portage County District Attorney Cass Cousins said: “Prosecuting criminals who hurt children is the top priority of my office. Seeing this defendant, at long last, held responsible for what he did to this infant is something that I am very satisfied to see. This conviction would not have been possible without the diligent efforts of the attorneys and staff of the DA’s Office. I also cannot express enough my gratitude to the doctors and medical professionals at Aspirus Stevens Point and the Marshfield Clinic for their care of this child and their assistance with our prosecution. Finally, this outcome was only made possible through the outstanding work of multiple investigators with the Plover Police Department, who went beyond the call of duty to investigate this crime and uncover the truth.
The case has been winding through the courts since February 2022 and was rescheduled for trial several times, including dates in November 2023, January 2025, and February 2026. A change in Schmies’ legal team forced one delay, while another occurred when defense counsel failed to secure an expert witness.
The case was also delayed when Schmies went AWOL in October 2024, prompting the judge to issue a bench warrant for his arrest. He was returned to custody on that warrant in late January 2025.
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