A Manitowoc County judge has rejected a plea deal for Timothy Hauschultz, the 55-year-old man charged in connection with the 2018 death of his 7-year-old great-nephew, Ethan Hauschultz. Hauschultz will now face trial in February 2026.

Hauschultz, Ethan’s court-appointed guardian, faces charges of murder, intentionally contributing to the delinquency of a minor resulting in death, and three counts of being party to the crime of child abuse intentionally causing harm. Prosecutors say Hauschultz ordered the punishment that led to Ethan’s death. His son, Damian Hauschultz, who carried out the punishment, is serving a 20-year prison sentence.

Court records show Hauschultz had agreed to enter an Alford plea — maintaining his innocence while acknowledging that prosecutors had enough evidence for a conviction. But Calumet County Judge Carey Reed, who is overseeing the case, denied the deal, citing the seriousness of the charges and saying the plea “is not in the public’s interest.”

The proposed deal would have included “time served,” a condition Ethan’s mother called an “injustice.” She told the court she wanted Hauschultz to receive the maximum sentence, noting his failure to call 911 and his misleading statements to hospital staff delayed treatment for her son, according to WBAY. (RELATED: Wisconsin Democrats Introduce Bill Requiring IVF Insurance Coverage)

Judge Jerilyn Dietz previously rejected an earlier plea in February and later recused herself after disclosing prior involvement with some witnesses. The case was reassigned to Judges Reed and Robert Dewane.

Despite concerns from the prosecution about the reliability of witnesses and evidence in the seven-year-old case, Judge Reed ruled that a fair trial could still be held. The trial is set to begin February 23, with a pre-trial conference scheduled for January 12. (RELATED: Fond Du Lac DA Eric Toney Wages Rematch For Wisconsin Attorney General Race)