Republican Rep. Tony Wied (WI-08) is headlining a fundraiser for an alleged child abuser, Shae Sortwell. Sortwell is running for reelection as state representative, a job in which Tony Wied seemingly does not find child abuse to be a disqualifier.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wied to fundraise with lawmaker once referred for felony child abuse
- U.S. Rep. Tony Wied will headline a birthday fundraiser later this month for state Rep. Shae Sortwell, whom police previously sought a felony child abuse charge against after he was accused of leaving bruises on his child and told officers the Bible commanded him to do so.
- When interviewed by officers, Sortwell said the idea of corporal punishment is to cause “some pain, but damage is not intended,” according to police reports. Wisconsin law allows parents to use corporal punishment when it is “reasonable discipline” of a child by a “person responsible for the child’s welfare.”
- The responding officer, however, called the marks left on the child, “not reasonable,” and told Sortwell after a back-and-forth conversation that he would have arrested him, had he been working the day the incident was reported, according to police reports.
- After the four-day investigation involving police officers, social workers, a child forensic officer, a child advocacy staff member and a nurse practitioner, police recommended a felony child abuse charge against him and a felony charge of failure to act to prevent bodily harm against his wife, but both were never charged.
- Sortwell’s statement blamed a “disgruntled family member,” for the accusation, saying “the police appropriately did their jobs and looked into the concern and then forwarded their findings onto the Brown County Attorney’s Office who rightfully decided to drop the matter.”
Milwaukee Courier: Republican Congressman Tony Wied will be special guest at fundraiser for Republican Assemblyman Shae Sortwell, who once said the Bible commands him to beat his child
- During questioning, Sortwell told investigators that the Bible was “very specific” about corporal punishment. Police reported that he loosely referenced a verse from Proverbs, stating, “Whoever spares the rod hates their child.” He said that he and his wife administered corporal punishment by striking the child twice whenever they were “being defiant.” Sortwell explained that they used an object rather than their hands because “hands are for loving.” He also denied that the punishment was administered in anger, describing the discipline as an act of love intended for “teaching what needs to be taught.”
- Sortwell told investigators that after disciplining the child, he would not check for injuries. Instead, he and his wife would hug the child and give them a Rice Krispies treat.
- The investigation lasted four days and involved multiple professionals. According to the Press-Gazette, it included “four police officers, two social workers, a child forensic officer — a trained agent who interviews child victims of physical and sexual abuse — a child advocacy staff member and a nurse practitioner.”
- Following the investigation, police recommended pursuing a felony child abuse charge against Sortwell and a felony charge against his wife for failing to prevent bodily harm. Each charge carried a potential penalty of up to six years in prison.
Published: Jul 14, 2026