New Details Emerge On Waukesha South Principal Case

WAUKESHA, WI -- Waukesha South High School principal Ryan Galante, 34, has been put on administrative leave after charges have been brought against him in court for child neglect. New details have been made public in the case, a day after district officials announced Galante would be put on administrative leave.

Authorities allege that Galante was responsible for breaking his one-month-old daughter's femur during a 2017 Christmas Eve incident. Galante says that his daughter slipped from his grasp, and that he grabbed her by the leg to prevent her from falling, resulting in the leg injury.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Waukesha County, police were called to Children's Hospital in Wauwatosa on Christmas Eve 2017 on a report that Galante's child suffered a leg injury.

Galante's wife told authorities that she saw him hold the baby when she began to cry as though she was in pain. She went on to tell investigators that she did not witness anything unusual, but that her daughter's leg looked broken, according to the criminal complaint.

According to authorities, the baby was evaluated by doctors, and determined that she suffered a broken right femur that was "likely caused by a twisting motion."

When questioned, Galante told authorities that he grabbed his one-month-old daughter by the leg to prevent her from falling out of his grasp at a moment when he turned to talk to his other daughter.

A doctor's report listed in the criminal complaint stated that “overall, this fracture is concerning for child physical abuse, although additional history of exactly what happened could potentially lessen the suspicion.”

According to the criminal complaint, Galante's wife told investigators that he had been in therapy for binge drinking. When investigators contacted Ryan the next day, they reported that his blood alcohol content was 0.204 from a test that was administered at 4 a.m. Authorities reported finding a bottle of whiskey in the basement.

According to a statement from the Waukesha School District:

"On Friday, Sept. 28, School District of Waukesha administrators were notified by Waukesha South Principal Ryan Galante that he was charged with two counts of child neglect of his own children. The district takes these charges very seriously. We have initiated an investigation into these charges, and Mr. Galante has been put on administrative leave."

Galante is scheduled to make his initial appearance in court on Oct. 22. If convicted, he faces maximums of 18 months in jail on each charge in addition to any fines he may incur.

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