Star Journal Report

A Rhinelander man who pleaded guilty in December to chronic neglect of a child has been sentenced in Oneida County Circuit Court to seven years in prison, followed by three years of extended supervision.

Dwight D. Schleif, 42, was arrested in July after Rhinelander police went to his home to investigate a child abuse allegation.

According to the criminal complaint, once there, Schleif yelled at officers through the door, but eventually released a minor child, and later an adult female, to the police. Schleif reportedly began yelling and swearing at the officer, went inside and slammed the door. Officers returned to the police station with the child. Schleif later turned himself in and told a detective he had loaded two guns and was waiting for the officers to return so he should shoot them.

The child told officers that Schleif “beats [him] up,” and put a gun to [the child’s] head. Officers also noted in the complaint that the boy had two black eyes, bruises and welts on his legs, head and face.

A psychological assessment and a pre-sentence investigation took place prior to Tuesday’s sentencing.

Schleif was originally charged with four additional counts, including child abuse, a class F felony, and attempted first degree intentional homicide for pointing a gun at a police. Those charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement. Chronic neglect of a child, causing emotional damage, a class E felony, carried a maximum of 10 years in prison and five years extended supervision.  Schleif gets jail credit for 237 days already served.