What to Know
On July 26, 2026, Nicholas Vanderschaaf reportedly became overwhelmed by the cries of his baby boy. The 26-year-old father attempted to console his 1-month-old son, Isaac, but could not get the infant to calm down. When Vanderschaaf could no longer take the cries, he allegedly shook the baby until he went limp in his arms.
Vanderschaaf went to the infant’s mother for help, and the pair transported the baby to a hospital near their home in Republic, Missouri. Isaac passed away from his injuries, and now Vanderschaaf faces felony charges.
Vanderschaaf apparently got home very late that night.
According to court documents obtained by KOLR, Vanderschaaf attended a concert the night before and got home around 2:30 a.m. He reportedly went to change his son’s diaper, and the baby began to cry.
The crying apparently turned to screaming, and the father grabbed Isaac by his neck and chin and shook him for several seconds. The infant reportedly went limp and the father “started freaking out,” he told police.
Vanderschaaf went to his wife for help.
Vanderschaaf allegedly told police he slapped the baby in the face with an open hand multiple times, trying to wake him up.
He went to the baby’s mother, who told investigators she had no idea what had happened in the other room. She said she tried to burp the baby and remove mucus from his throat before having Vanderschaaf start CPR as she prepared to go to the hospital.
Vanderschaaf allegedly wanted to go to sleep.
Per Isaac’s mother, Vanderschaaf told her that he wanted to go to sleep before he had to go into work and hoped to delay going to the hospital. The pair eventually left, and Vanderschaaf left Isaac and his mother at the hospital.
He told investigators that he started to cry at work and was told to go back to the hospital. Vanderschaaf allegedly told police he knew he was “never ever supposed to shake a baby.”
Doctors put Isaac on a ventilator.
The baby was totally unresponsive and survived due to a ventilator. He was eventually transported to a children’s hospital in St. Louis, where he passed away on August 6. Police initially charged Vanderschaaf with child abuse, and he posted a $50,000 surety bond after his arrest.
Following his son’s death, prosecutors upgraded the charges to second-degree murder. Police believe some of Isaac’s injuries may have occurred prior to July 26.
The infant adored his mother.
According to his obituary, Isaac loved his mother, and the feelings were mutual.
“In his short time here, Isaac made his preferences known. He loved cuddles with his mama above all else — the kind where he could be tucked in close and stay a while. Isaac loved dancing and being sung to. He loved sleeping. Isaac did not like cold hands, and he made no secret of the fact that tummy time was not his favorite activity,” the post reads.
Vanderschaaf is scheduled to appear in court on September 3 for a bond modification hearing. He has a preliminary hearing scheduled for September 28.
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