Unlicensed Daycare Operator, Merisa Wagner, Gets Six Years Imprisonment for Severe Child Abuse in Wisconsin

A woman from Wisconsin, Merisa Wagner, also known as Merisa Sell, was sentenced to a six-year prison term for running an unlicensed daycare and committing severe child abuse. 

The charges stemmed from a case where a 16-month-old girl under her care suffered from bleeding in her brain. The sentencing, pronounced by Marathon County Circuit Court Judge LaMont Jacobson, included four years for intentionally causing great bodily harm and an additional two years for intentional child abuse. 

Notably, a third intentional child abuse charge was dropped as part of a plea agreement.

Initially operating her daycare, "Merisa's Stepping Stones Daycare," from her residence in Wausau, Wagner faced legal troubles for multiple incidents. Court records revealed that her troubles date back several years, with her previous last name, "Sell," used during the initial prosecution. 

Her recent divorce might explain the variation in surnames during the legal proceedings.

The case unfolded with multiple accusations against Wagner. The first incident involved a 4-month-old baby boy who suffered a seizure and a brain injury. Wagner had purportedly claimed that the injuries were caused by an older child shaking the infant in a bouncy swing. 

Subsequent allegations in 2017, wherein a boy in her care was found with fingerprint-like bruises, initially didn't lead to charges. However, these incidents resurfaced during the investigation into the 2018 incident.

In August 2018, Wagner called 911 when the toddler experienced breathing difficulties. Although initially hesitant, the girl's mother eventually took her to the hospital where doctors discovered injuries consistent with child abuse, including bleeding outside the brain, mouth injuries, and unexplained bruising. Medical experts concluded that the toddler's condition likely resulted from being shaken.

The legal proceedings faced several delays, including enhanced defense discovery requests and rescheduled jury trials. 

Despite facing a potential maximum sentence of 46 years, Wagner received a six-year sentence, to be served consecutively, with credit for time served. Additionally, she will face extended supervision after her release and is prohibited from operating a daycare or caring for vulnerable individuals.

 

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