An Indiana man has been charged with domestic battery after an alarming incident involving a seven-year-old boy, according to court documents reviewed by PEOPLE. Daniel Schergen now faces the serious allegation of attempting to force a bar of soap into the child’s mouth following an outburst of foul language.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Daniel-Schergen-110226-64c2681855924c50be1860d56b60eb3b.jpg)
The alleged event took place in late August while Schergen was driving with the child and three other kids, along with his girlfriend. According to an affidavit, Schergen had just dropped off one of the children at a local football practice. The situation escalated when the seven-year-old reportedly began hitting another child in the car for reasons that remain unclear.
In an attempt to discipline the boy, Schergen is accused of pulling over at a nearby Dollar General store. Once parked, he instructed his girlfriend to purchase a bar of soap. Upon her return, Schergen allegedly tried to force the soap into the child’s mouth. During this confrontation, the child is said to have sustained injuries, which included a cut to his forehead, redness to the right side of his face, and bruising around his ear.
The affidavit further states that the child struggled against the attempt to wash his mouth out, causing Schergen to inadvertently strike him in the forehead. Following the incident, the child’s injuries required first aid from Schergen’s girlfriend, who helped clean the bleeding wound.
When questioned by law enforcement, Schergen expressed uncertainty about how the boy had received the bruise on his ear, suggesting that the redness on the child’s face may have resulted from pressing his head against the leather car seat. Furthermore, he argued that the boy had previously been suspended from school due to aggressive behaviour and that his actions were a misguided attempt at discipline.
In a formal statement to PEOPLE, LaPorte County Prosecutor Sean Fagan affirmed the presumption of innocence under the law. “The Constitution is a glorious document, preserving and protecting the rights of Americans. Under the Constitution, Mr. Schergen is innocent until proven guilty or he admits guilt. As this is an ongoing case, I am unable to comment further,” he remarked.
Court records reveal that Schergen has been released on a $750 bond, with his next court appearance scheduled for January 6. The case has raised significant concern, prompting discussions about appropriate disciplinary methods and the treatment of children in similar situations.
In instances where child abuse is suspected, authorities urge individuals to take action. The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline is available at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453. The hotline is open 24/7, confidential, and accessible in over 170 languages for anyone needing assistance or guidance.
As the legal process unfolds, the community watches closely, reflecting on the important issues surrounding child welfare and responsible parenting.
About the Author
