Crime
Man Accused of Forcing Bar of Soap in Child’s Mouth as Punishment for Saying ‘Really Bad’ Word
An Indiana man is facing serious jail time after allegedly holding a 7-year-old boy down in a car and trying to force a bar of soap into his mouth for using profanity.
Daniel Schergen is charged with domestic battery of a person less than 14 years old, according to court records viewed by Globe. According to WSBT, Schergen was traveling in his vehicle with his girlfriend and three children. After one of them was dropped off at football practice, a witness said the 7-year-old said a “really bad” word.
The outlet reported that Schergen pulled into a convenience store parking lot and instructed his girlfriend to go inside and pick up a bar of soap. Once she came back with it, he allegedly held the child down and tried to force it into his mouth while holding his head against the car seat.
The boy kept his mouth closed and began to struggle. He reportedly kicked and hit Schergen several times. At one point during the scrap, Schergen accidentally hit the boy, causing a bleeding injury to his head.
His girlfriend went back into the store, this time to buy alcohol wipes and bandages to try to treat the injury, according to the outlet.
WSBT reported an investigation began on September 8 after the Indiana Department of Child Services received a physical abuse report. The investigation determined that Schergen had allegedly administered the soap punishment on the child at least once before. He reportedly told police that the child struggles with his temper and had been suspended from school for hitting other students.
He claimed he’d tried to replace traditional discipline with conversations and time-outs but said they failed.
Court documents show he was taken into custody on October 23 and posted his $750 bail five days later.
