Waukesha South Principal Resigns, Faces Child Neglect Charges

WAUKESHA, WI -- Waukesha South High School principal Ryan Galante, 34, has resigned as principal of Waukesha South High School effective Friday, Oct. 5. Galante is facing two charges of child neglect for a 2017 Christmas Eve incident involving his newborn daughter, according to court records.

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.

Waukesha School District Superintendent Todd Gray announced Galante's resignation in a prepared statement on Oct. 4.

"On Oct. 4, Ryan Galante requested to resign due to pending legal matters and other personnel reasons. This was his choice and his request, and the district found a way to support him and make this work for him. Mr. Galante is a good person and a loyal employee and we wish him the best in his future. The district is working diligently to find a permanent building administrator for this vacancy and will communicate further updates as they are available," Gray wrote in a Journal Sentinel report.

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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