Father Of Toddler Who Died In Lomira In 2020 Charged With Child Neglect

(Lomira) The father of a three-year-old who died in Lomira two years ago has been charged for his role in the child’s mistreatment. Frank Pleester of Milwaukee is facing three felony counts of Neglecting a Child Consequence is Bodily Harm and a misdemeanor charge of Resisting.

Jamie Hildebrandt was sentenced to 10 years in prison last July in connection to her son’s death. The 34-year-old admitted to stepping on the toddler after laying him on the bathroom floor to reach for more diapers and forgetting he was there. The autopsy report concluded that there were multiple blunt force injuries to the child’s head, chest, and back.

According to the complaint, the young victim was seriously neglected before his death. Dodge County authorities say Hildebrandt treated him differently from other children in the household, often excluded him from family events, and physically tortured him. The child was neglected medically, as both parents reportedly failed to bring him in for doctor appointments. He was also chronically malnourished at the time of his death.

State prosecutors say Pleester knew of Hildebrandt’s actions towards the child and failed to act. An alleged text conversation between Pleester and a relative of Hildebrandt just months before the child’s death suggested he knew she was neglecting his child. He was also allegedly aware that Hildebrandt used drugs which affected her ability to care for the child. Pleester reportedly denied knowing any of this when he was first interviewed by investigators but later admitted he did.

If convicted, the 35-year-old faces just over 18 years behind bars. An initial appearance is scheduled for June 13th.