An Indiana man was arrested after he allegedly tried to force a bar of soap into a 7-year-old’s mouth after the child said a curse word.
Daniel Schergen was arrested on October 23 and charged with domestic battery on a person less than 14 years of age.
The incident took place in August when the 7-year-old was allegedly misbehaving while in a car with Schergen, his girlfriend and three other children. Schergen has been accused of attempting to wash the boy’s mouth out with soap, according to an affidavit viewed by People. The boy “fought this, and as a result received a cut to his forehead, redness to the right side of his face, and bruising to his ear.”
Schergen dropped off one of the children at football practice before the remaining people in the car patronized a Dunkin’. The 7-year-old allegedly began hitting one of the other children, and Schergen reached back to the driver’s seat to stop him. The victim then allegedly called Schergen a “motherf***er,” and Schergen pulled over. He then asked his girlfriend to go into a Dollar General and buy a bar of soap.
Once she returned with the soap, Schergen allegedly tried to force the bar into the child’s mouth, striking his forehead.
The boy reportedly sustained a bleeding wound, and Schergen’s girlfriend used a first aid kit to treat the injury.
While speaking to police, Schergen allegedly said he did not know how the boy sustained a bruise on his right ear and he believed there was redness on his face “from holding his head down against the car seat.”
Schergen also claimed to police that the boy had been suspended from school for hitting other children and that he had a “temper.” Due to his alleged behavioral issues, Schergen said he had to find a new form of punishment.
“The Constitution is a glorious document, preserving and protecting the rights of Americans. Under the Constitution, Mr. Schergen is innocent until proven guilty or admits guilt. As this is an ongoing case, I am unable to comment further,” LaPorte County Prosecutor Sean Fagan said in a statement to People regarding the incident.
After Schergen was taken into custody, he was released when he paid a $750 bond. He is next scheduled to appear in court on January 6.
It’s not currently clear if Schergen has entered a plea or retained legal counsel following his arrest. The LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to Us’ request for comment regarding updates in the case.
