Rhinelander man accused of choking 9-month-old boy

RHINELANDER, Wis. — A Rhinelander man is accused of choking a 9-month-old boy out of frustration with the child’s crying.

Christopher T. Schimke is due in court Friday on three felony charges, including child abuse. Online court records show the charges have “repeater” designations.

A Rhinelander Daily News report says the boy’s mother told investigators she paid Schimke to baby-sit last week, and when she came home she found the boy injured.

Police say the child had a swollen cheek and ear and red marks around his shoulder.

Investigators say Schimke first told them he accidentally hit the boy with a videogame controller but later admitted he struck and briefly tried to choke the boy after he wouldn’t stop crying.

Defense attorney Brian Bennett says he’ll defer comment until the preliminary hearing.