Warning: Details of the incident in this story may be considered disturbing to some readers. David Schonabaum EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WEHT) - The father of an infant who suffered severe injuries from over 50 rat bites was sentenced to 16 years in prison on Wednesday. David Schonabaum was found guilty in September of three counts of neglect after authorities say his six-month-old son suffered serious injuries from multiple rat bites in 2023. Authorities say the rat bites caused traumatic injuries to the child's right hand and forearm, and a blood transfusion was required due to the amount of blood lost. The child's mother, Angel Schonabaum, entered into a plea agreement last week and is scheduled to be sentenced later this month. The aunt of the six-month-old, Delaina Thurman, was sentenced to probation. Angel Schonabaum Delaina Thurman 3 charged after infant nearly dies from rat bites "House of Horrors" On September 13, 2023, David Schonabaum called dispatch to report he found his six-month-old son covered in blood, and his fingers appeared to have been chewed off. An affidavit said the toddler's most traumatic injuries were sustained to his right hand. Flesh was missing from the top of four fingers and his thumb, exposing his fingertip bones. Sergeant Anna Gray of the Evansville Police Department said several fingers had to be amputated. Hospital staff said the incident was nearly fatal for the child, and a blood transfusion was needed due to the amount of blood lost. Police reported finding trash and discarded food items inside the victim's room. Throughout the home, authorities say they found rodent feces as well as rat traps and a bait box. David told authorities he was aware of a problem with mice and rats in the home for at least six months, and said he contacted a technician to treat the house once a month. A service report from August said the technician took a photo of trash stacked in the backyard of the home and noted the presence of trash would attract rodents. The technician did not enter the home during the August visit. During David's trial, prosecutors argued that his inaction invited the rats to attack his son, permanently disfiguring him. Pictures from within the home showed pictures of dog and rat feces, dried blood and overflowing trash. Prosecutor Ian Blair described the scene as a "house of horrors". Former employees sue DCS for alleged discrimination in Evansville abuse case DCS employees sue following termination During the investigation, authorities learned that David and Angel had an open DCS case at the time of the incident due to a substantiated claim of neglect in December of 2022 after one of their children was injured due to a lack of supervision. Police say DCS also substantiated a claim of physical abuse made against David in June of 2023, however a decision was made to continue with family preservation services, allowing all children to stay with their parents. After the child sustained the life-threatening injuries, three DCS employees, Rickey Mason, Brandi Leavell and Chissa Madison, were all terminated for failing to remove the child from the home. However, the three former employees filed federal lawsuits alleging they faced discrimination based on their age and race, and that no other employees were disciplined after the infant was injured. The lawsuit also noted multiple cases in which children either died or were seriously injured, and employees did not face disciplinary action. A complaint from the three employees said Mason reported his findings from an in-home inspection to another employee, who did not recommend any follow-up inspection. The lawsuit also noted that Madison, the Family Case Manager Supervisor, was on vacation at the time of the inspection, requiring the report to be filed with another employee.