A Rhinelander man accused of choking a 9-month-old boy out of frustration with the child's crying pleaded not guilty to child abuse and suffocation, Tuesday in Onedia County Court. Online court records show the charges have "repeater" designations.
A Rhinelander Daily News report quotes prosecutors as saying the boy's mother paid Schimke to babysit last week, and when she came home she found the boy injured. Police say the child had a swollen cheek and ear and red marks around his shoulder.
Investigators say Schimke first told them he accidentally hit the boy with a video-game controller but later admitted he struck and briefly tried to choke the boy after he wouldn't stop crying.
The Associated Press Contributed to this report
