PLOVER, WI (WSAU) — A Plover man will be tried for charges of abusing an infant in the spring of 2022 will be tried for charges of first-degree reckless injury after rejecting a plea agreement on Friday.
David Schmies was in a Stevens Point courtroom where officials offered a plea agreement for an amended charge. Friday’s court appearance also covered a separate case involving bail jumping and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The proposed agreement involved Schmies’ entering a plea to one count, with the other dismissed.
Records show that Schmies repeatedly rejected the plea agreement, instead forcing the case to go to trial this fall. A pretrial conference was set for October 30th, with a four-day jury trial beginning November 7th.
Investigators say the 23-year-old caused numerous injuries to a three-month-old child, which likely occurred over several weeks. Those included a skull fracture, bleeding on the brain, and numerous broken ribs. Schmies had told doctors the baby fell off a bed, but the nature of the injuries suggests something more severe.
Other injuries to the child’s limbs may have been caused by twisting/yanking on them.
RELATED: Plea Hearing Scheduled for Plover Man Accused of Child Abuse
The 23-year-old is free on a $50,000 signature bond, which he initially refused to sign.
Charges against him carry a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison.
