Prosecutors said the 5-year-old child suffered more than 100 injuries before his death.
MILWAUKEE, Wis. — A Wisconsin jury has found Nicole Olszewski guilty in the death of her adopted 5-year-old son after prosecutors said the child suffered repeated abuse, catastrophic brain injuries and more than 100 visible wounds before he died.
The conviction followed a closely watched trial in Milwaukee County that centered on allegations of long-term abuse inside the family home. Prosecutors said Olszewski sent text messages to her husband describing violent discipline shortly before the boy’s fatal injuries were discovered. The child later died after being hospitalized with severe trauma that medical experts said was consistent with repeated physical abuse.
During trial testimony, prosecutors presented evidence that the boy arrived at a hospital with extensive bruising, swelling and a catastrophic brain injury. Medical professionals testified that the injuries could not be explained by normal childhood accidents. According to courtroom testimony, doctors counted more than 100 separate injuries across the child’s body, including marks in different stages of healing. Prosecutors argued the evidence showed a sustained pattern of abuse rather than a single moment of violence.
Jurors also heard about text messages investigators recovered from Olszewski’s phone. In one message highlighted repeatedly during the proceedings, prosecutors said she texted her husband, “Just got done beating your son.” Prosecutors argued the messages showed awareness of repeated violence and contradicted claims that the injuries were accidental. Defense attorneys challenged portions of the state’s timeline and argued there were unanswered questions surrounding exactly when the fatal injuries occurred. The jury ultimately sided with prosecutors after deliberations.
The child’s death drew attention across Wisconsin because of the severity of the allegations and because the victim had been adopted by the family. Child abuse investigators and medical experts testified about signs commonly associated with prolonged mistreatment, including repeated bruising and untreated injuries. Authorities did not publicly release every detail of the abuse allegations during open proceedings, citing the age of the victim and the sensitive nature of the evidence presented in court.
Milwaukee County prosecutors said the evidence demonstrated escalating violence in the days leading to the boy’s death. Emergency responders were eventually called after the child became unresponsive. Hospital staff reported the injuries to law enforcement, launching the criminal investigation that led to charges against Olszewski. Investigators gathered medical records, digital evidence and witness statements during the case. Authorities said the boy’s brain injuries were so severe that doctors determined they were incompatible with recovery.
Olszewski’s conviction marked a major step in a case that moved through the Wisconsin court system for months before reaching trial. She now faces sentencing on charges connected to the child’s death. Prosecutors are expected to seek a lengthy prison sentence given the severity of the injuries and the victim’s age. A sentencing hearing date had not been widely announced by Thursday evening. Court records indicated additional procedural hearings could still take place before sentencing is finalized.
Family members and courtroom observers reacted emotionally as the verdict was read. Some relatives cried quietly while jurors were polled one by one to confirm the decision. The courtroom remained tense throughout much of the proceedings because of the graphic medical testimony and photographs shown during trial. Prosecutors told jurors the evidence reflected “systematic abuse,” while defense attorneys urged them to consider whether every injury had been directly tied to criminal intent beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case has renewed public attention on child welfare oversight, adoption monitoring and abuse investigations involving young children. Authorities have not announced whether any additional criminal charges against other individuals are expected. Officials also have not released complete details about prior interactions between the family and child welfare agencies, if any existed before the boy’s death.
As of Thursday, Olszewski remained subject to court supervision pending sentencing after the guilty verdict. The next major milestone in the case is expected to be a sentencing hearing where prosecutors and defense attorneys will argue over the punishment tied to the child’s death.
Author note: Last updated May 14, 2026.