Case Summary
- Case Type
- Warrants/Wanted
- Incident Date
- late-August
- Location
- Kingsbury, Kingsbury, IN
- Investigating Agency
- Law & Crime
- Suspect
- Daniel Schergen
- Suspect Age
- 34
- Victim Count
- 1
- Charges
- felony domestic battery on a person less than 14 years old
- Arrest Status
- arrested on a warrant Oct. 23 and released from the LaPorte County Jail five days later after posting $750 bond
- Case Status
- pending
Daniel Schergen, 34, was arrested following an investigation into an incident in late-August where he allegedly pinned a 7-year-old relative's head against a car seat and attempted to force a bar of soap into his mouth in Kingsbury, Indiana.
The arrest stems from an investigation launched in September by local authorities after receiving a report of suspected physical abuse from the Indiana Department of Child Services regarding the alleged assault in LaPorte County.
Incident Overview
According to court documents, Daniel Schergen was riding in an SUV with his girlfriend, the 7-year-old boy, and three other children. After dropping off one of the children at football practice, the 7-year-old boy uttered a curse word that a witness inside the vehicle described as really bad.
Schergen directed his girlfriend to stop at a convenience store in Kingsbury to purchase a bar of soap. Upon her return, Schergen allegedly took the soap and tried to force it into the victim's mouth while holding his head down against the car seat. The child kept his mouth shut during the struggle, and Schergen allegedly struck him in the forehead, leaving a bleeding oval mark. The boy fought back by hitting and kicking Schergen several times.
Suspect Information
Daniel Schergen is 34 years old. Court records indicate he was arrested on a warrant and subsequently posted a $750 bond to secure his release from the LaPorte County Jail five days after his apprehension.
Victim Information
The victim is a 7-year-old male family member of the suspect. The child was left crying and screaming with a bloody oval mark on his forehead following the incident. Police and court records note that the child fought back during the assault and was later treated with alcohol wipes and bandages.
Police Response
Law enforcement became involved after receiving a report of suspected physical abuse from the Indiana Department of Child Services in September, prompting an investigation into the late-August altercation.
Investigation
The investigation was initiated following a report from the Indiana Department of Child Services. Investigators spoke with Schergen, who told them the boy had problems controlling his temper and had been suspended from school. Photographs taken by the child's mother showed redness on his forehead and a bruise on his face.
Evidence Collected
- A bar of soap purchased from a convenience store in Kingsbury
- Alcohol wipes and bandages used to clean the victim's wound
- Photographs taken by the child's mother showing redness on the forehead and a bruise on the face
- Court documents and witness statements from individuals inside the vehicle
Arrest Details
Daniel Schergen was arrested on a warrant on October 23. He was booked into the LaPorte County Jail and was released five days later after posting a $750 bond, according to court records.
Charges Filed
- felony domestic battery on a person less than 14 years old: A serious criminal charge involving the intentional or knowing touching of a family or household member under the age of 14 in a rude, insolent, or angry manner that results in bodily injury.
Court Information
The case is being handled within the legal jurisdiction of LaPorte County, Indiana. LaPorte County Prosecutor Sean Fagan has publicly discussed the legal parameters surrounding parental discipline and the threshold for criminal liability in child injury cases.
Statements from Authorities
LaPorte County Prosecutor Sean Fagan told local media that parents possess a legal right to discipline their children, but that right has clear limitations. When dealing with such cases, investigators and prosecutors must determine the boundary between acceptable discipline and excessive force against a minor, according to Fagan.
Public Safety Information
Authorities urge anyone with information regarding suspected child abuse or neglect to contact local law enforcement or child protection agencies immediately. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911. For concerns regarding domestic violence or family safety, support is available nationally, including the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
What Happens Next
As the legal process moves forward, the accused individual will proceed through the court system, which typically involves formal arraignment, pre-trial conferences, and potential evidentiary hearings or trial proceedings unless a plea agreement is reached.