A 10-year-old boy is at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis in grave condition after he was allegedly stabbed by his own father. The incident took place on East Maple Street in Wabash, Indiana. The police received a call that there was a domestic dispute occurring at the location, and Indiana State Police Sgt. Tony Slocum said that upon arriving on the scene officers found the boy. The officers were also informed that a man was outside and that he was armed with a gun.
When the officers found the man, they approached him. The man was the father of the 10-year-old boy, and he responded by firing his shotgun at the officers, who then fired back at him. One officer, Sgt. Nick Brubaker of the Wabash police department was injured in the gun battle. Sgt. Brubaker sustained gunshot wounds to the leg. He was transported to the local hospital for treatment, and it was reported that his injuries were non-life-threatening.
The father experienced multiple gunshot wounds and had to be flown to a hospital in Fort Wayne. The father was reported to be in critical condition. The father, who was identified as 32-year-old William Sendelbach, allegedly was engaged in an argument with his wife. Sendelbach stabbed his son after the dispute. Reports indicate that the wife was not harmed.
The police also said that there were other children in the home at the time the altercation took place. It is believed that the other children did not witness the attack. The children were taken from the home and sent to the Department of Child Services. The investigation into the incident is open and ongoing by the police. It is not known if the boy and his father will survive their injuries.
Child Abuse in Indiana
In Indiana, there were a total of 151 reported cases of physical child abuse in September of 2020, as reported by the Indiana Department of Child Services. A recent report indicated that Indiana child abuse cases were down 40% during the pandemic. While this may seem like good news, child care experts say that the drop seen in the state of Indiana and across the country is not a result of fewer incidents of abuse, but rather a decrease in resources and help for children suffering from abuse.
Before COVID, people were out and about more, and as such, abuse was more exposed. Children were at daycares and schools where they could be monitored, and red flags were more likely to be caught and addressed. The shutdowns have led to victims having less access to resources and help.
Speak with a Talented Indiana Family Law Attorney
Christopher L. Arrington is a talented and compassionate Indiana family law attorney who can help you adjust your family’s situation if you suspect that abuse may be taking place. If you believe that parenting time must be addressed and your agreement with your ex modified, call Christopher L. Arrington. When you have Christopher L. Arrington on your side, you will have the highest quality, personalized legal support in the greater Danville area. Call Christopher L. Arrington, P.C. today to schedule your free consultation with a knowledgeable Danville child custody attorney at (317) 745-4494.