SHEBOYGAN, Wis.—
A 26-year-old Sheboygan man is charged with slapping two young boys for letting his pet frog briefly escape.
Christopher D. Sipe faces a preliminary hearing Wednesday on two counts of felony child abuse. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.
A Sheboygan Press report (http://bit.ly/qTe8dI ) says Sipe was living with the boys' mother. The criminal complaint says he discovered his frog missing earlier this month. Sipe told investigators that even after it was found, he acknowledged hitting the boys "very hard" because he thought they were responsible.
Prosecutors say Sipe had been drinking before he struck the boys, ages 8 and 6. Both boys had large red and blue marks between their noses and ears.
Defense attorney Casey Hoff says Sipe plans to plead not guilty.
