EASTPOINTE, USA — A Michigan woman, Hilary Ulp, has been sentenced to life in prison without parole after being convicted of felony murder.
Ulp, 46, was found guilty of felony murder after prosecutors argued she caused the severe and ultimately fatal injuries that led to the death of 14-month-old Nicolas Kuras.
She fatally assaulted her boyfriend’s toddler son in a jealous rage over the attention the father gave the child.
Initially sentenced to up to 30 years in prison for the assault, Ulp faced a new trial following the child’s death nearly six years later from his long-term injuries.
On Tuesday, January 28, 2025, a judge handed down the life sentence, concluding a case that prosecutors say underscores the tragic consequences of child abuse.
“This case is a heartbreaking reminder of the fragility of life and the devastating consequences of abuse,” Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido said in a statement after the sentencing.
“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.”
According to trial testimony, the attack took place in May 2015 when Ulp was babysitting the child while his father was out playing cards.
Prosecutors alleged that Ulp, jealous of the attention her boyfriend paid to his son, violently beat the toddler, leaving him with a traumatic brain injury, a broken collarbone, and multiple fractured ribs.
The next morning, the boy’s father found him in distress and urged Ulp to call 911.
Emergency responders arrived at the home in the 23000 block of Schroeder, Eastpointe, and rushed Nicolas to the hospital.
The child survived the initial attack but remained severely injured until his death nearly six years later.
Ulp’s initial conviction for first-degree child abuse resulted in a prison sentence of 12 to 30 years.
However, following Nicolas’ death, she was retried and convicted of felony murder. The new conviction led to Tuesday’s life sentence without the possibility of parole.
The case has drawn widespread condemnation, with child welfare advocates pointing to the severity of the abuse and the failure to protect the child from ongoing harm.
Authorities hope the sentencing serves as a stark warning about the consequences of child abuse and the justice system’s commitment to holding perpetrators accountable.
