Dayne Paulson remained jailed after doctors reported skull fractures and other injuries in his 27-day-old son.
CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. — A Chippewa County judge raised bond to $200,000 cash for a Bloomer father accused of repeatedly abusing his newborn son, who police said was hospitalized with fractures, hemorrhages and brain injuries.
The May 1 bond decision marked the first major court step after the April 25 hospital report that launched the investigation. Dayne Paulson, 23, is charged with repeated physical abuse of a child causing great bodily harm. He is presumed innocent unless convicted, and no public record cited in reports showed a trial date as of May 24.
The charge followed a call from staff at Marshfield Hospital in Eau Claire, where the 27-day-old boy had been brought for treatment. Police said the baby arrived with a cut above his eye, a bruised eye and an injury to his septum. Doctors then found the child had more severe injuries than the visible wounds first suggested. Authorities said the newborn was sent to a pediatric intensive care unit for further treatment.
Medical findings described in the complaint included three skull fractures, a broken collarbone, a broken leg, a broken nose and a broken rib. Doctors also documented cerebral hemorrhages, retinal hemorrhages and brain lacerations. The complaint said the injuries showed high specificity for inflicted abusive head trauma. A doctor told investigators the baby had a good chance of surviving, but it was too early to know whether the injuries would affect his development long term.
Police arrested Paulson after the medical report. Investigators said he first told them the child was “being dramatic” and did not like having his diaper changed. During questioning with social workers on April 27, police said, Paulson gave a different account. He allegedly said the baby would not settle down and would not stop crying, then admitted punching him in the eye and head-butting him repeatedly.
The complaint also said Paulson admitted squeezing the baby with such force that he hurt his own ribs. Police asked him to demonstrate the pressure using a Kleenex box. Investigators said the box was crushed when Paulson squeezed it. That alleged demonstration is expected to be one point prosecutors may use to connect Paulson’s statements with the injuries doctors found days earlier.
At the May 1 appearance, the court raised Paulson’s bond from $50,000 cash to $200,000 cash. A cash bond requires the full amount before release. The increase kept Paulson in the Chippewa County Jail unless the money was posted. Reports said he was scheduled to return to court May 26, when the case could move into another early hearing stage.
The offense charged is among the most serious child abuse allegations under Wisconsin criminal law because prosecutors allege great bodily harm and repeated acts. Reports on the complaint said Paulson faces up to 60 years in prison if convicted. The exact sentence in any case depends on the charge, court findings, plea or verdict and any applicable sentencing decisions made by a judge.
The court case is separate from the medical care and any child protective services action involving the infant. Wisconsin’s public disclosure list includes a Chippewa County critical incident dated April 25, the same date as the hospital call. The state uses that list for child deaths, serious injuries and critical incidents tied to maltreatment or suspected maltreatment. Such a posting does not replace the criminal process and does not decide whether a defendant committed a crime.
Public reporting has not identified the baby by name. It also has not said whether the child has been released from the hospital, placed with relatives or moved into state-supervised care. No official statement has accused the baby’s mother of abuse. Police said she brought the infant to the hospital, where staff reported the suspected abuse after the deeper injuries were found.
The next court date could clarify whether Paulson has counsel, whether a preliminary hearing will be scheduled and whether prosecutors plan to rely on medical testimony early in the case. In abuse cases involving infants, doctors are often called to explain timing, cause and severity of injuries because newborns cannot describe what happened. Here, the complaint links medical records with Paulson’s alleged statements.
For now, the case remains built around a short span of dates. The baby was treated and police were called April 25. Paulson allegedly spoke with social workers April 27. His bond was raised May 1. His next reported court appearance was set for May 26 in Chippewa County.
Author note: Last updated May 24, 2026.