A Newark man has pleaded guilty to charges filed in the death of his 5-year-old foster child, Nathaniel Gard.
Kenneth Schulz, 30, pleaded guilty to one count each involuntary manslaughter and endangering children.
During a plea hearing, Gonzalez-Wells said on June 2, 2018 Schulz "caused serious physical harm to a child" while at their Newark home. She said the child's injuries included severe head trauma, bilateral retinal hemorrhages, and detached retinas, and bruising to other areas of his body.
"The defendant was interviewed and admitted that he used wrestling type moves on the child, including but not limited to body slamming the child immediately prior to the onset of the child's symptoms," Gonzalez-Wells said, later adding an autopsy found the head injury was the cause of death.
During an interview with Newark police, Schulz allegedly admitted to using a "power bomb" move, saying he picked Gard up over his head and body slammed him into a sofa, which caused Gard's head to hit the back of the sofa.
About 15 seconds later, Gard reportedly became unresponsive. He did not regain consciousness and died four days later at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus.
Murder charge dropped as Newark man pleads guilty in death of foster child
Kenneth Schulz faces up to 11 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter and endangering children.
www.newarkadvocate.com