A New London man has been ordered held on a high cash bond in Waupaca County Circuit Court, in the death of his young son. Lance S. Vandenbusch, 36, is charged with first degree reckless homicide in the death of his 3-year-old child in December. The criminal complaint says Vandenbusch and the boy’s mother, Judith Warren of New London, took the toddler to the New London Hospital’s emergency room December 3rd with what appeared to be symptoms of a seizure. From there the boy was taken to Children’s Hospital in Milwaukee, where he died 6 days later.
The complaint says medical experts involved in the case say the boy suffered from a violent shaking event, which caused a massive brain injury. The complaint alleges the injury occurred while the child was under the care of Vandenbusch, while Warren was at work. Waupaca County assistant district attorney Jim Fassbender asked for a high bond in the case. “This defendant faces substantial penalties, and I’m not aware of what if any true ties that he has to the community,” Fassbender told Judge Keith Steckbauer. “Given the nature of this offense, I’d ask that the state impose a substantial cash bond.”
Fassbender recommended $250,000, Judge Steckbauer set bond at $200,000 cash. Vandenbusch faces up to 60 years in prison if convicted in the homicide. He is also awaiting a probation revocation hearing on multiple burglary convictions from Calumet County in 1998. He served 10 years in prison on those convictions.
WDUX