Man Accused of Breaking Infant Son's Ribs

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Tuesday, August 19, 2008 --- 8:20 a.m.

MAYVILLE, Wis. (AP) -- A 21-year-old Dodge County man has been accused of causing severe injuries to his 3-month-old son.

Prosecutors charged Jonathan E. Wondra of Mayville with one felony account of child abuse. The charge filed Monday carries a maximum penalty of 3 1/2 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

According to the criminal complaint, a Madison hospital contacted police after the infant was admitted with broken ribs, extensive bruising and liver damage.

Prosecutors say Wondra gave police several stories about how the injuries happened, and then eventually admitted he was "stressed out" when he did it.

Online court records didn't list a defense attorney for Wondra on Tuesday.

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Posted by: Jared Location: dane co on Aug 21, 2008 at 01:58 PM
somebody will hopefully be able to help him see what he did, and how so horribly wrong it was, and not just "oh I'm sorry I did bad, it was wrong" while he is on the stand facing a prison sentence! hopefully he will never, ever, get that child while he is alone with it again! I sure hope the state insists on supervised visitations.

Posted by: T Location: Madison on Aug 21, 2008 at 09:25 AM
Jon says he was "stressed out" when he did this? When my son was born 5yrs ago, he was colicy and when he got over that he had constant ear infections until they finally put tubes in his ears when he turned 1. That was stressful but NEVER would I have taken my "STRESS" out on my son! This guy deserves something more harsh than some jail time!

Posted by: Jeffrey on Aug 21, 2008 at 06:52 AM
6'5" 275...what a lardo!

Posted by: Relative Location: Mayville on Aug 20, 2008 at 06:39 PM
Sadly im related to this loser. And ive know jon since i was little.He should have never had those kids he doesnt diserve them. im glad hes going to jail and that the kids got taken away from their pathetic father. Jeez im only 16 and i cant beleive how stupid he is and that it took this long for somthing to be done about it.

Posted by: grandma Location: dells on Aug 20, 2008 at 05:54 PM
to the one that made the comment on the the man that killed his twines he isnt getting what he should for my daughter and family is paying we arent related to them we to have atwine that is shaken back in jan 08 she is doing good ahead of her sis we love them the same we were luckey she dosent have any sid affect frome it they are my angeles and first grandbabies and wiil alwayes be the love of my life beside of my 2daughters tha i raised for 17 years when their dad died i nevever thaught of hitting them and i raised them to allwayes call for help .there is help out their .when she my baby had twines she called meall the time and i was allwayes happy to help my angels

Posted by: grandma from dells area Location: wis dells on Aug 20, 2008 at 05:28 PM
my heart gose out to the mom and grandparents of this baby i am a grandma to twines my self and one of them has been shaken i have been their from the day the were boren i was their the day my daughter called for me to pick up my other baby to take her home . The personisnt the one that did it it was the other grandma from mayvile she isnt being looked at i will make her pay i love them dearly and will allwayes be my angels i will be their for them even though one was shock its under wis dells man shock a twine

Posted by: A RELATIVE Location: bloomington, wi on Aug 20, 2008 at 04:08 PM
I just want to thank all who feel the same way the rest of us feel about Jon. Its good to know my thoughts are in the right direction. I too think that 30 years in jail with no hopes of probation would just be a good place to start. Go to wisconsin court access and look jonathan wondra up...you will be shocked.

Posted by: A RELATIVE on Aug 20, 2008 at 04:03 PM
He didnt take the baby to the hospital right away he waited 7 hours to tell anyone what happen, which was a lie. He first said their 2 1/2 yr old stepped on him. LIES AND MORE LIES!! Then he came up with 3 more stories of how it happened, still we are unclear exactly how it happened. The father IS NOT related to the construction company...their family isnt well off at all. Just getting by like the rest of us. Not an excuse just the truth. To the 275lb 6'5 man who said put him in a room with you...well we all feel they way you do. But to be honest...Jons not worth all the trouble that would come to follow. I just hope he has a great time in jail once the other prisoners find out why hes in there. To everyone else who said something about his rap sheet...Ive been saying that to cops in mayville for a long time. If it were me or you, we would be sitting for years on end. Hes bad news...come on just look at him, sometimes judging a book by its cover says it all.

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 20, 2008 at 03:51 PM
to Anony: 8/20 3:01.....GO FOR IT!!!!

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 20, 2008 at 03:01 PM
I am 6'5, 275 lbs. I am in favor of putting this guy in a room with me for 2 minutes, he may never heal!

Posted by: Mindy Location: Madison on Aug 20, 2008 at 02:10 PM
One sad thing about the state's domestic abuse laws is even if she had left the home, went shelter or new life, he still gets visitation, so he can still terrorize her at child exchanges, or use the kids as bargaining chips, or threaten to have them taken away, or tie her up in court hearings to determine custody... just leaving a parent with full legal custody rights of a child does not mean the abuse stops- b/c the state says even if they are abusive, they still get to see their kids. another sad thing is the state has it backwards, again- the waunakee bozo got what he got b/c he killed his son- this punk gets 3 1/2 b/c he left his victim alive. Come on WI! This guy should get the same as someone who killed his son at least! So help me, if one person says "@ least he took the kid to a hospital" I'll vomit! God save the babies from people like him!

Posted by: debbie Location: Wis Dells on Aug 20, 2008 at 01:13 PM
I am a Grandma to twines one of them wasnt even 2mths old and was shaken she is doing great the person that said he did it may not of the other grandma may of but he is taking 52yrs in prison why isnt he getting more than 3 1/2 years at least my grandbaby didnt have liver damage and wont kneed a new liver something is wrong with dodge county sestem or is it because he is a wondra and related to the constuctin comp. who has money? i have always been told its not who you are its how much money your family has?

Posted by: LA Location: Madison on Aug 20, 2008 at 01:04 PM
Our Hearts & Prayers go out for the baby. To the Mother we say this, Get Out, Get Help & Protect your Children at all cost, no more excuses! To the Father, Hell has a place for you, but until then we hope the State of Wisconsin extends a personal invitation to be a guest for a long time!

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 20, 2008 at 12:29 PM
Look at his record!! He never should have been allowed to have children!!!

Posted by: M Location: Madison on Aug 20, 2008 at 12:15 PM
Amazed - Personal freedoms, YES. Free to abuse, terrorize and kill, NO. We can all fire back about what not to do & the protection of our rights and freedoms.., what about the rights and freedoms of those who can't protect themselves? The question here is what do we do to help, educate and protect those who so desperatley need it. Think about that before you hide behind the Bill of Rights!

Posted by: katie Location: stoughton on Aug 20, 2008 at 11:00 AM
I am a 21 year old single parent, even I get stressed with my 6 mo old who WONT sleep through the night. The thought of beating him or shaking him NEVER crosses my mind. This poor child, I pray he recovers. As for the father, ROT IN JAIL DIRT BAG!

Posted by: Grandpa Farrell Location: Waunakee on Aug 20, 2008 at 10:06 AM
My Wife and I pray for this child. We know what it is like to lose someone so young and dear to our hearts (our Grandson). This awful tragedy is way to common in our society and IT MUST BE STOPPED. People, get out of bad relationships,there are shelters and programs to help. Protect your children at all costs! If this family needs help and wants to reach out to us pls let us know. Granparents of Aaron Michael Roberts

Posted by: Jen Location: Madison on Aug 20, 2008 at 10:05 AM
This guy has ~25 cases from March 2004 up to this most recent incident listed on Wisconsin Circuit Court System webpage. TWENTY-FIVE. Why is not in jail? Why does this system continually let criminals out and about? How many chances can one person get to harm other people or themselves before our system will take action? It's just plain wrong.

Posted by: amazed Location: dane county on Aug 20, 2008 at 08:36 AM
"Haley", I can't help but wonder how you would police such a draconian policy that infringes on personal liberties. Would you force abortion if you found out someone "too young" were pregnant, or simply have Big Brother come and take the baby after he/she is born? And if it works to your satisfaction, would you target people who didn't have much money next, because some don't provide for their children? When we destroy destroy an individual liberty, free society pays the price.

Posted by: Pam on Aug 20, 2008 at 07:58 AM
I think this man (well coward) needs to see what it feels like to have a few broken ribs. How awful!!!

Posted by: Lease Location: Sun Prairie on Aug 20, 2008 at 06:31 AM
I has my daughter when I was 19. SHe has never been abused and I was a single mom for a long time. Its not the persons age that decided whether or not they will harm thier children, I resent that statement. Its the mentality of the sick people in this world that do this to innocent young children and you can be any age to be a sicko!

Posted by: A RELATIVE Location: bloomington, wi on Aug 20, 2008 at 03:28 AM
Everyone here is saying about the same thing. I'm related to the mother of this child. Im very very upset by all this and no I wont be saying how nice of a guy he is. I cant stand him. Hes very off balance and has been for years. They also have an older son thats 2 1/2!!! Just so you all know those boys are now in protective custody and are safe. Thank god. This has nothing to do with age at all. He is an abuser, emotionally and physically to the mother of these children and the boys. He's a liar, theif and has a rap sheet longer than my arm. I have heard 4 different stories about how this happened. The mother is scared to death of this guy and does exactly as she is told to do by him. Shes afraid to make him upset with her because she dont know what he will do when he gets "stressed". Jonathan does need help, many many years of help and I hope he never sees those boys again. The mother is too blame here too. Because she knew Jon was unstable and did nothing about it.

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 20, 2008 at 01:25 AM
I say cut his sack off without being numbed no kids not nuts...see how he likes that on for size.

Posted by: mom at 16 on Aug 19, 2008 at 07:19 PM
as for all of u who think that ppl shouldnt have kids when they are young i think u need to listen to the news a little more. i had my first child as a junior in highschool and have since raised her by myself. i graduated highschool early while raisin my child, workin, and livin on my own. i dont know if u all member or not but not too long ago there was an older man if i member right in his 40s who was find lyin on his bed with his murdered twin babies under his bed. hmmmmm and its the younger ones that are doin all this......

Posted by: a pissed off mom Location: wisconsin on Aug 19, 2008 at 05:06 PM
what the hell are wrong with people. I'm a mother of a 2yearold and her crying drove me crazy but never to the point of hurting her. Put the kid down walk out of the room. This is now the 2nd 21 year old father that cant handle it. And another innocent baby who only deserves to be loved and comforted, Not beat and neglected.

Posted by: Earl Location: Madison on Aug 19, 2008 at 03:39 PM
3.5 for this? OK, now that's just about enough of that sh*t! Oh well, there are plenty of wonderful, decent people on here with some great ideas of what should happen to him for what he did... anyone want to hold a "welcome back to society" party for him when he gets out? I got a blind friend who'll bartend (as long as you like beer in bottles or tap) so when something happens, he can honestly tell the cops he didn't see anything, or see who did it! we can have party games like pinata... he can hold the pinata, and we all get one swing at him, I mean the pinata! be a damn shame if he tripped down the stairs on his way to the courtroom while wearing shackles and cuffs!

Posted by: Amanda Location: Portage on Aug 19, 2008 at 03:12 PM
It takes a very detatched kind of personality to violently beat a child, let alone a baby who has no concept of "hush, now," "be quiet," or "please stop crying, you are stessing your daddy out." That kind of detached personality leads me to believe the father must have come from a violent past - whether physically or emotionally. Either way three years is not enough time because this kind of behavior could manifest itself very differently a few years from now if left untreated. To be honest, the father should be locked up for much longer because there's no telling what could happen in the future after the trauma of prison has worn off and he gets "stressed out" again. The fact that he thinks that is an excuse is, in itself, very disturbing. Obviously, people will oppose the idea of locking someone up because of what they "could" do. I think this father needs long term treatment of his own. At least we can assume the jury will be unsympathetic.

Posted by: Sad on Aug 19, 2008 at 02:40 PM
PEOPLE!---When your infant is crying here's what you do.... put then in their cribs and walk into a different room even with them screaming and crying! they may even put themselves to sleep for you! how heartbreaking!

Posted by: Disturbed on Aug 19, 2008 at 02:38 PM
Why is the sentencing so short and the fine so little. I hope the inmates take their turns with him when he goes in. MONSTER.

Posted by: baby on Aug 19, 2008 at 02:35 PM
i agree with Haley. I work in counseling and every day I have to enter disgusting homes with disasterous situations. If it were legally possible (don't give me that "ethical" crap)... I'd say we should come up with a way to stop certain individuals from having babies--will this ruin it for others, probably, but at least we're preventing it for those who shouldn't have kids at all. Ask anyone who deals with this crap professionaly and deep down, i'm sure they agree with me.

Posted by: TAMMY Location: BD on Aug 19, 2008 at 02:27 PM
Haley, I don't agree w/ young people having children either. i think that's gotten terriable in today's world. however, don't blame all these children being hurt on "young" parents. older people have been abusing their children lately too - it's all bullshi*. these stories make me sick to my stomach, litterally, sick to my stomach... this man better rot

Posted by: anon on Aug 19, 2008 at 02:17 PM
Haley-how old were your parents when they had you? I was still in school when I had my first and I never abused him. Just because a young person has a child doesn't mean they are going to abuse them. I do agree that this guy should never be able to father another child and then have done to him exactly what he did to his son and then some.

Posted by: tony Location: madison on Aug 19, 2008 at 02:12 PM
To Haley-how can you say young people dont have the right to have children. My daughter was born when I was 21, and I have been a very good parent, probably better than some "older" parents. There are a lot of good young parents out there. You cant just let a few bad apples give young parents a bad name. And I am pretty sure there have been older parents in the news lately for harming their children as well. Maybe "old" people dont have the right to have children either then.

Posted by: Ashley Location: Madison on Aug 19, 2008 at 12:52 PM
Dear God...What is wrong with people now-a-days. There is no excuse for hurting a defenseless infant if you are stressed out. If you are that stressed, simply put the baby down and walk out of the room. I would rather hear an infant scream than hear about the child being hurt or worse yet killed. Wake up people. Infants are completely helpless. From the moment they are born they need their parents to protect them, not hurt them. This disgusts me. Some people should not be allowed to have children. After suffering years of infertility and struggling to remain pregnant I could never imagine hurting my child. People like this should be locked up for life. Sometimes I wonder if certain people should be banned from having children. I know that's harsh and not legally right, but after hearing all these stories about babies that are hurt and killed, it makes me wonder. I agree with Anonymous at 9:47, I strongly believe "an eye for an eye".

Posted by: Haley Location: Madison on Aug 19, 2008 at 12:51 PM
This is exactly why young people do not have the right to have children. They have no idea how stressful and important the job of being a parent is. It's the "in" thing for young kids to have babies and walk around malls, festivals, streets together with their babies out at rediculous hours of the night. Something needs to change.

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 19, 2008 at 12:19 PM
I agree, give Tony Roma's a run for their money. BBQ ribs and this guys "BROKEN RIBS"

Posted by: Deb Location: Madison on Aug 19, 2008 at 12:14 PM
31/2 years in prison & $10,000.00 fine??? BOO HOO. I hope he meets Big Bubba when he is in the slammer!

Posted by: Beth Location: Madison on Aug 19, 2008 at 11:10 AM
Deep Sigh...................

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 19, 2008 at 09:47 AM
someone should break this guys ribs than off him. such scum dose not deserve to live.

Posted by: amazed Location: dane county on Aug 19, 2008 at 09:42 AM
How pathetic and disgusting. There is no excuse for beating anyone but a criminal. But to beat a defenseless infant? That's completely unacceptable. Stressed out? I suppose now he'll cry about some stress "disorder", or something, just to get out of any responsibility.

Posted by: Joel Location: Madison on Aug 19, 2008 at 09:35 AM
What a loser! I am really stressed out now, can I have a shot at this guy?

Posted by: ANGRY Location: VERONA on Aug 19, 2008 at 09:02 AM
FOR CRIPES SAKE, IF YOU DON'T WANT KIDS USE BIRTH CONTROL. STOP ABUSING, KILLING, AND DESTROYING YOUNG LIVES. THEY DON'T DESERVE IT!

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Madison on Aug 19, 2008 at 08:54 AM
When will these losers learn to just "walk away" or hit something else, like a pillow, when they get "stressed out?" Oh wait, maybe when our justice system actually imposes a penalty more severe than a fine and 3 years in prison. I wish our country had corporal punishment and the same thing that this guy did to an INNOCENT baby will be done to him too. And I hope we don't see a bunch of his "friends and family" commenting on what a "nice" guy he is and that he was just under stress and that we don't "know" the whole story. Anyone who harms a baby is the worst kind of scum on earth!!!

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