Milwaukee father accused of killing son over piece of cheesecake pleads not guilty

Travis Stackhouse

MILWAUKEE — A Milwaukee father accused of punching and killing his five-year-old son over a piece of cheesecake pleaded not guilty on Friday, July 5. Travis Stackhouse is charged with first-degree reckless homicide.

Investigators say Stackhouse was upset his son had eaten his Father’s Day cake, and that’s why he punched him. Tears ran down his face in court during his initial appearance.

“This baby was little, tiny… and you doing all that? It’s ridiculous,” said Macshaunya Wright, the victim’s aunt.

Travis Stackhouse

The incident happened near 26th and Ruby on Saturday, June 22. According to a criminal complaint, Stackhouse’s 5-year-old boy had bruising to both eyes, a cut on his lip and sternum. An autopsy revealed he suffered blunt force trauma to the abdomen.

26th and Ruby in Milwaukee

The boy’s caretakers reported he fell down the stairs but police didn’t believe the injuries were consistent with that. Stackhouse admitted to punching his son in the stomach and hitting him in the face because he ate his Father’s Day cake; he only had one piece and was upset others were eating it.

Stackhouse is the father of four other children.

Prior to entering his plea, a Milwaukee police detective testified in a preliminary hearing. The court then found probable cause to bind Stackhouse over for trial. Stackhouse is due back in court on July 16.
