Honk News (Macomb County, MI) – A 46-year-old woman from Michigan has been sentenced to life in prison for the tragic death of her boyfriend’s 6-year-old son, whom she fatally assaulted out of jealousy over the affection he received from his father.
Macomb County Circuit Judge Diane Druzinski has imposed a life sentence on Hilary Ulp, condemning her to spend the rest of her days in a state correctional facility without any chance of parole for the brutal murder of young Nicolas Kuras, as reported by authorities. Druzinski issued the required life sentence after a jury determined Ulp was guilty of first-degree felony murder in the tragic death of the young boy, following a six-week trial.
“This case is a heartbreaking reminder of the fragility of life and the devastating consequences of abuse,” county Prosecutor Peter Lucido said in a statement following the sentencing hearing. “Our hearts go out to the victim’s family, who have endured unimaginable pain and loss over the years. We hope this sentence brings some measure of justice and healing to those who loved Nicolas.”
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Upon receiving her life sentence, Ulp was already serving time for the injuries that eventually resulted in the boy’s deaths years down the line. A recent announcement from the county prosecutor’s office reveals that on May 15, 2015, Nicolas was hospitalized with serious injuries, which included blunt force trauma to the head, a fractured collarbone, and several broken ribs. At that time, he was just 14 months old.
A recent inquiry uncovered that he suffered from significant physical mistreatment inflicted by Ulp, who was responsible for his care during the period of his injuries. In 2016, she faced arrest, prosecution, and ultimately conviction for first-degree child abuse. A judge has now mandated that Ulp will spend between 11 and 30 years in the Michigan Department of Corrections.
According to a report, authorities indicated that Ulp’s motivation to harm Nicolas stemmed from jealousy, as suggested by statements made by Nicolas’ father during police interviews.
The father informed authorities that Ulp was watching the children — a task she frequently undertook — while he was out playing cards. The following morning, he awoke to the sound of the boy sobbing intensely and instructed Ulp to dial 911.
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Ulp allegedly informed authorities that Nicolas could have sustained injuries from a fall off the bed the previous night, hitting his head on the door frame. She further stated that “she possibly hugged [Nicolas] too strong,” adding, “It may have caused injuries.”
Nicolas was unable to regain his strength after the attack, which rendered him incapable of self-care, and on January 7, 2021, he tragically passed away due to his injuries. At the time of his passing, he was nearly 7 years old.
Authorities subsequently filed felony murder charges against Ulp, who was already behind bars.