Fraternity Hazing: Parents Seek Justice for Son Who Became Blind, Mute and Disabled

The parents of a fraternity hazing victim are speaking out and seeking justice for what happened to their son, Daniel Santulli, who was left blind and unable to walk or communicate after the incident.

Mary Pat Santulli, Daniel's mom, told ABC News that their son was part of the pledge class of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity as a freshman student at the University of Missouri. The fraternity had their Pledge Dad Reveal Night hazing ritual on Oct. 19, 2021, at their frat house, where Daniel was forced to drink a full bottle of vodka.

Two hours after the incident, the surveillance video showed that Daniel lost control of his balance and fell on his back. A fraternity brother helped him to a sofa in the next room, where he fell asleep until past midnight.

However, they noticed Daniel slip down to the floor. When the boys realized that Daniel was unresponsive, they transported him to the university's hospital, where doctors determined he had a cardiac arrest. Mary Pat said that no one in that room tried to call 911 when they saw Daniel with blue lips and in distress.

Read Also: School-Approved Fraternity Boxing Match Results to Death of UNLV Student Due to Brain Injuries

Daniel's Alcohol Level Was Near-Fatal

Daniel's blood-alcohol content was at 0.486 percent, a near-fatal level that exceeded the legal driving limit by six times. He was admitted to the intensive care unit for six weeks and was later moved to a rehabilitation facility in Colorado.

In early June 2022, Daniel has finally come home to Minnesota but his father, Tom Santulli, told Fox News that the teenager is still on a long road to recovery as he has some permanent and lasting damage to his face and body. Daniel incurred brain damage, which means that he will need constant care for the rest of his life but Tom and his two other kids, Nick and Meredith, believe that Daniel was also a victim of fraternity hazing.

"He's still not talking or walking," Mary Pat said, adding that while her son can't see, he hears what's around him. Tom said that their family will not give up hope and get through this trial even if it has been very hard. To provide care for her son, Mary Pat has given up her job at a bank to be Daniel's full-time carer.

Fraternity Members in Legal Trouble

Meanwhile, the University of Missouri has revoked the charter of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity with proposed disciplinary sanctions for 13 individuals. David Bianchi, the lawyer for the family, on the other hand, has filed a court motion against two fraternity members, Samuel Gandhi and Alec Wetzler, per the New York Post.

Wetzler was identified as the person who inserted a tube into Daniel's mouth to force him to finish the alcohol. He is due to face the court in July 2022 for supplying alcohol to a minor. Gandhi was the frat brother who moved Daniel to the couch in a separate room but failed to call 911.

Tom said that this is a warning to parents to talk to their kids about fraternities and alcohol drinking in college. Their children should know not to let another kid tell them to drink.

Related Article: Family Sues Mater Dei High School for Teenage Son's Brain Damage From a Football Hazing Ritual