WAUSAU, Wis. (WAOW)-- The Everest Metro Police Chief has confirmed to News 9 that the child who was in a medically induced coma after allegedly suffering abuse at the hands of its adoptive parents has died.
He says the child died on August 25.
Jonathan and Sumitra Stolp had appeared in court on August 18 and faced a primary charge of child abuse recklessly causing harm.
According to police and prosecutors, a 5-year-old was taken to Marshfield Medical Center on Sunday, Aug. 15 with a skull fracture, bleeding on the brain, and elevated levels of both alcohol and Tylenol in their blood.
Jonathan and Sumitra appeared in court on Wednesday where charges were not yet filed. Assistant District Attorney Rory McGarry said the child's parents kept changing their story when speaking with authorities.
"Ultimately the co-defendant again changed her story and admitted to law enforcement that the child never fell off the slide. She indicated in that story that the child was on her knees when she was in a chair at the house when the child pushed off and fell and hit her head on the carpet," McGarry said.
Sumitra also reportedly told the police that she was rocking the child and the girl started seizing. However, Marshfield Medical Center where the child was treated, says it doesn't add up.
"Personnel at the Marshfield Medical Center reported to Everest Metro that the subdural head trauma and the acute fracture that wrapped around both sides of the child's head is not conclusive with a fall and seizure," McGarry said.
Jonathan's lawyer asked the judge to release him from custody, alleging that he was not in the room when the child was hurt.
"He was elsewhere in the house and it's my understanding that he provided evidence to law enforcement that he wasn't anywhere near in the vicinity which they were able to confirm," Attorney Kirk Obear said.
The judge denied the request. Both parent remain with cash bonds of $75,000 and are expected back in court on September 29.
