Suspect accused of breaking baby’s leg
Timothy M. Lauersdorf, 19, Waupaca, is charged with felony child abuse causing great bodily harm.
At 2 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 29, Waupaca Police Officer Mario Graceffa responded to the Waupaca hospital.
The emergency room staff reported a 6-month-old boy was brought to the hospital by his grandparents shortly after midnight.
The grandparents told the officer their 21-year-old daughter had left the child in Lauersdorf’s care.
Their daughter, who could not get away from work until her replacement arrived, called them and said something was wrong with the baby.
The grandparents rushed to her apartment, then drove the baby to the hospital.
According to the criminal complaint, Lauersdorf initially said he did not know how the baby was injured, but indicated the child had been in a bouncy chair.
The emergency room physician, however, reported, “It’s my opinion that a bouncy chair could not have caused this injury due to the force that is required to fracture the femur.”
The baby’s thigh bone was completely broken, there was swelling around the fracture, but no other visible injuries.
The child was transported to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.
After further questioning, Lauersdorf reportedly told Graceffa he threw the baby onto the couch, feet first.