‘An act of sadism’ lands Stanton couple in court
Michelle Kulkoski
Erik Kulkoski
STANTON — A husband and wife are facing prison time for allegedly “hog-tying and beating” their 10-year-old son. Erik Kulkoski, 35, and Michelle Kulkoski, 39, of Stanton, are each charged with first- and second-degree child abuse. They have been arraigned in 64B District Court and were bound over to 8th Judicial Circuit Court, where they are scheduled to be arraigned next Thursday morning. According to court documents, the charges allege that the Kulkoskis “caused serious physical and mental harm by hog-tying and beating the child.” The first-degree charge carries a possible prison sentence of 15 years while the second-degree charge carries a possible prison sentence of four years. According to Montcalm County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Doug McFadden, the Kulkoskis allegedly regularly beat their son and once tied him up with duct tape before beating him. McFadden said there is evidence other people participated in beating the boy. “It was an act of sadism,” McFadden said. The crimes allegedly took place numerous times between July and August. The Kulkoskis bonded out of jail on a $5,000 bond each. They have two young sons in addition to the 10-year-old. All three boys have been removed from the parents’ care. Children Protective Services and Stanton Police Chief Joe Patino investigated the case. The investigation continues and additional arrests are possible.
Elisabeth Waldon
Elisabeth Waldon is news editor of The Daily News, where she began as an intern in 2001. Her beat includes courts/cops/crime and Montcalm County government. She is also editor of The Carson City Gazette. She loves investigative reporting, telling small-town stories, frequenting music halls, experimenting with photography and being a wife and mother in the "Panhandle" of Montcalm County.Elisabeth Waldon has written 554 articles.
omg..I know this family. Those poor children.
Neither one of them look too bright and I hope they never get their children back. Maybe someone needs to do to them what they did to their children. Stiffer penalties are needed.
ya know..this couple came thru where i work often and never seemed like those type of people…but to read this absolutly disgusts me..and makes me sick to my stomach..people like this should be put through hell and back..and never deserve their children back!!!…do you realize how many people would die to have a child..and for them to sit that and do this type of behavior grosses me out…adopt out your children if you cant handle them really people!!…
A Couple of well educated looking “parents” we have here.
Nothing infuriates me more than seeing a child hurt – especially at the hands of his own parents!
Instead of using their parenting skills, or asking for help, maybe for an unruly child….they used DUCT TAPE.
A 10 year old, their own son, hogtied and whipped and the “parents” allowed others to participate in beating him????!!!!!
IF you somehow are not sent to jail FOREVER- I only wish that one day while I’m putting gas in my car, I see your pretty faces at the gas pump across from me.
I guarantee you that you’ll experience an Old Detroit Cop A** Whippin’-minus the duct tape. (Compliments of your 10 year old son.)
Thank GOD the Protective Services saved these kids.
Mr.and Mrs.Kulkoski, your actions are the type of criminal activity I moved up here to avoid. I thank you for reminding me that “stupidity…and crime, has no boundaries.”
If when you appear before a Judge, and are found guilty of the facts posted by the editor of this article….the I hope that you BOTH…ROT IN HE**