Greenfield child death cold case, opening statements made
GREENFIELD, Wis. - Opening statements and testimony began Tuesday in the trial of Ronald Schroeder, the man accused in the 1991 death of his 7-week-old daughter.
Prosecutors accuse the 55-year-old Schroeder of killing his daughter, Catherine Schroeder – part of a pattern of abuse that followed with other women and his infant children. He is also a convicted sex offender.
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Schroder's defense said records have been destroyed, and the trial is a "medical prosecution" based on speculation about events so long ago. Prosecutors said there are only two people who could have caused the little girl's death, but only one, Schroeder, fits a pattern of abuse over years.
"Only two people in the entire world had the opportunity and ability to silence this child’s life at the age of seven weeks," said Assistant District Attorney Matthew Torbenson."
Photo of Catherine Schroeder shown in court on Tuesday, Oct. 15
In August 1991, Schroeder lived in a Greenfield apartment with his wife and infant daughter. He was the last one with his daughter before 911 was called.
Garry Bauer, a retired Greenfield firefighter and paramedic, said 7-week-old Catherine was in cardiac and respiratory arrest. She had dilated pupils, was comatose and probably dead. The baby was taken to the hospital. Doctors there were concerned about possible child abuse; there was already an open case with Child Protective Services.
Retired Greenfield Police Officer David Novy interviewed Schroder and his wife. She said she and Catherine had been in a minor car crash days prior, and the baby wasn't feeling well – maybe had a cold – and had trouble eating recently, including the night Schroeder came home from work. Hours later, the little girl was declared brain-dead. She had brain bleeds and severe brain trauma.
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"If your brain is not getting blood flow, your brain is not alive," Dr. Carl Weigle, Children's Wisconsin Pediatric ICU attending pediatrician, said. "This diagnosis at the time was shaken baby syndrome."
The Milwaukee County medical examiner reviewed the cold case autopsy in June 2021 and found Catherine died of blunt force trauma to the head, ruling her death a homicide. Her father was charged with first-degree reckless homicide and physical abuse of a child the following August.
David Schroder in court on Tuesday, Oct. 15
Schroeder's defense said the case is based on speculation. The case was investigated for years, and no charges were filed.
"As we sit here in 2024, we don't know any more than we did back then," said Defense Attorney Kathleen Pakes."
Testimony will resume Wednesday morning. The trial is expected to go into next week.