From left to right:  Rep. Lisa Subeck, Sen. André Jacque, Gov. Tony Evers, Rep. Dora Drake, and Rep. Paul Tittl

Children in protective care will no longer be placed with admitted child abusers under “Ethan’s Law,” which Gov. Evers signed last week at the State Capitol. 

The new law closes legal loopholes which led to the brutal death of Ethan Hauschultz, a seven-year-old Manitowoc boy who suffered a deadly pattern of cruel abuse at the home where he was lawfully placed by county workers despite a lengthy record of violence  - including felony child abuse - by the designated ‘caregiver'.

But because of a plea bargain, his record showed the conviction as disorderly conduct, a non-violent misdemeanor. 

“What happened to Ethan is unbelievably tragic,” Sen. Jacque said.  "The system failed him, and we owe it to his memory to now have proper guidelines in place that protect our children.”


District Office
 320 Main Ave. 
 De Pere, WI 54115
(920) 420-9570

State Capitol, Room 7S
  PO Box 7882
 Madison, WI 53707
(608) 266-3512