Wisconsin woman charged with killing fiance’s 3-year-old- Samantha J. Wishman, a 32-year-old mother of four from Wisconsin, was arrested nearly a year after allegedly beating her fiancé’s 3-year-old son to death, claiming the child was fatally injured when he fell down the stairs. Wishman was taken into custody and charged with one count of first-degree reckless homicide and neglect of a child resulting in death for the June 2023 slaying of the little boy.
The incident occurred at a home on Gilbert Street in Marinette, about 50 miles northeast of Green Bay. Upon arrival at the scene, first responders found the boy’s father performing CPR and took over. The child’s skin was “blueish” in color and his skin was cold to the touch. Wishman allegedly told authorities at the scene that the boy had fallen down the stairs the night before.
The boy was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arriving. A detective at the hospital involved in processing the boy’s body said that immediately after his death, the child was in “full body rigor” and had “a fairly strong odor of decomposition.” This belied Wishman’s statement to police that the boy was alive and well when she checked on him between 10:30 and 10:45 a.m. that morning.
When informed that the boy’s injuries were far too severe and just did not comport with a fall down the stairs, Wishman allegedly responded that “doesn’t make sense,” then asked if she was free to leave the interview. Wishman is currently being held without bond and is scheduled to appear in court on April 15.
The boy appeared to have suffered “significant bruising” on his head, his abdomen appeared distended, and he had a “golf ball sized lump” on his forehead that was surrounded by bruising. There was dried blood inside the boy’s nose and on his hands that someone had appeared to try to clean off. Additionally, the victim had extensive bruising on his back, chest, neck, and arms. An autopsy also showed that the boy had suffered multiple broken ribs and a punctured lung, and the doctor who performed the autopsy said there was no way the victim would have been able to eat after suffering his injuries.
A forensic search of Wishman’s phone turned up multiple messages she sent to the victim’s father that police said were “cause for concern.” These messages included expressions of frustration and anger towards the children, indicating a pattern of aggressive behavior towards them.
The Marinette County Medical Examiner determined that the victim’s injuries were not consistent with a single fall down the stairs. The report stated that the finding of multiplanar patterned bruising; bruising in anatomically protected locations; and severe internal injuries would not be expected after a stairway fall. The examiner concluded that the victim likely suffered non-accidental trauma leading to his death.
This case underscores the importance of thorough investigations into child fatalities, especially when initial reports suggest an accidental cause. It also highlights the devastating consequences of child abuse and the need for accountability for those who cause harm to children.
