Wautoma suspect in custody on child abuse charges

On May 30, 2026, Wautoma Police and the Waushara County Sheriff’s Department responded to Theda Care Hospital in Wild Rose in reference to a possible agitated individual in the emergency room with a five-month-old baby spitting up blood.
It was learned the family resided in the City of Wautoma, that the baby had significant injuries, and was no longer able to feed normally as a result of the injuries. The baby was transported to the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin for further treatment. The hospital advised the injuries were potentially life threatening and appeared to be consistent with physical abuse.
Wautoma Police in partnership with Waushara County Child Protective Services, interviewed the infant’s caregivers and witnesses, which included 29-year-old Stephen Polvi of Wautoma.
During the interview Polvi advised the infant was fussy and that sometimes you need to put your fingers into the back of the baby’s mouth. Polvi provided additional information about placing his fingers in the back of the infant’s mouth. Another caregiver reported finding the infant spitting up blood after the infant was alone with Polvi.
Polvi is currently on probation for 1st Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety
in Sheboygan County and 2nd Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety in Washington County. As a result of this incident Polvi was taken back into custody by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections.
On July 23, the Waushara County District Attorney charged Stephen Polvi with Child Abuse-Recklessly Cause Great Bodily Harm. Polvi is being held at the Waushara County Jail. The Waushara County District Attorney reminds all that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.