(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
KENOSHA, Wis. — A 37-year-old Kenosha father was found guilty Wednesday, October 14, 2026, of two felony counts of recklessly causing bodily harm to a child following a three-day jury trial in Kenosha County Circuit Court. The unanimous verdict was returned at approximately 1:35 p.m. before Judge Jodi L. Meier. Assistant District Attorney Vincent “Vince” Kurta prosecuted the case, while private defense attorney Mackenzie S. Renner represented the defendant. The judge allowed the man to remain free on his previously posted $1,000 cash bail pending sentencing, which is scheduled for November 5.
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Kenosha County Eye is withholding the defendant’s identity at this time out of consideration for circumstances unrelated to the trial. Although his identity is a matter of public record, we have agreed to temporarily withhold his name. We anticipate identifying him in a future report.
The case stemmed from allegations of physical discipline involving the man’s two young daughters, who were seven and eight years old when the incidents were reported in August 2025. According to the criminal complaint, the children told investigators that their father had pinched their legs, pulled their hair and disciplined them following nighttime bedwetting incidents. Police documented bruising on the girls, and the allegations ultimately resulted in two Class I felony charges.
The investigation began August 19, 2025, when Kenosha police responded to a report from the children’s mother. The parents shared custody of the girls, who alternated weeks between their households. The mother reported noticing bruises on the children following a custody exchange and contacted police.
During forensic interviews, the girls described instances in which their father pinched their inner thighs, pulled them upward by their hair and threatened to spank them. They also described being required to sleep on the floor after wetting the bed. Investigators documented the children’s statements and interviewed additional family members.
The father disputed the abuse allegations during police interviews. He acknowledged occasionally spanking the children and described some of the physical contact as tickling rather than pinching. He denied intentionally harming the girls and suggested that some bruising could have resulted from ordinary childhood activities.
Jury Hears Testimony Over Three Days
The trial began Monday, October 12, with jury selection and opening statements. Over the following two days, jurors heard testimony from the children, family members, law enforcement officers and other witnesses. The prosecution also presented photographs and forensic interview evidence.
The defendant elected to testify in his own defense. His attorney, Renner, presented additional defense testimony and challenged the prosecution’s evidence.
During deliberations Wednesday, jurors requested to review several photographic exhibits. The photographs were initially displayed in the courtroom, and several were later provided to the jury for additional examination.
At approximately 1:35 p.m., the jury returned guilty verdicts on both counts. The jurors were individually polled, and the court entered judgments of conviction.
Following the verdict, Kurta requested that the defendant’s bail be revoked. Renner opposed the request, and Judge Meier maintained the existing bail while the case proceeds to sentencing.
Questions Raised About Defense Representation
A source familiar with the proceedings expressed dissatisfaction with Renner’s representation, suggesting that aspects of her trial performance and preparation, could become the subject of a future ineffective assistance of counsel claim.
The source also reported that the defendant had complained about difficulty reaching Renner by telephone. Those complaints have not been independently verified, and no court has determined that Renner provided constitutionally ineffective representation.
Court records show Renner was retained in November 2025 after the defendant was initially represented by appointed counsel Seth Johnson.
The proceedings were postponed several times before the October trial. Some postponements involved outstanding discovery, including video footage the defense sought to obtain, while another followed Renner reporting an illness, which is very common for her.
During the trial, Renner sought a mistrial over material presented to jurors. Judge Meier addressed the matter through a corrective instruction rather than declaring a mistrial.
Sentencing Set For November 5
Each Class I felony carries a maximum of 1.5 years of initial confinement, meaning the defendant faces up to three years in prison if the maximum confinement terms are imposed consecutively. The convictions also carry potential fines of up to $10,000 per count.
Both the prosecution and defense agreed that a presentence investigation report was unnecessary, and Judge Meier approved their request to waive it.
The defendant will return to court November 5, 2026, at 10:30 a.m., for sentencing before Meier. He remains free on his previously posted cash bail while awaiting the court’s sentencing decision.
