Mother of 2 boys in hospital after alleged abuse arrested

NEWTON, N.C. — A man, accused of beating two young boys, faced a judge for the first time Wednesday.

Sheriff's deputies were not taking any chances, with emotions running high in the case.

There were six officers positioned around the courtroom inside the Catawba County Justice Center in Newton.

Jeffrey Sumpter is charged with two counts of felony child abuse inflicting serious injury.

Alison Hullet, mother of two injured boys, was arrested Wednesday afternoon. She is charged with two counts of felony child abuse and gross negligence.

Police said he was babysitting Jacob and John Hullett Sunday when the children were injured.

Hullet, who was at work at the time, said her youngest son has a fractured skull, a torn intestine, bruising and several broken ribs.

The 3- and 4-year olds from Hickory remain hospitalized in Winston-Salem.

Hullet fought back tears in the courtroom Wednesday morning.

"I just want to know why … I just want to know why, why my kids? What did they do to deserve this?" she said.

Hullett said Sumpter was her boyfriend and she had no idea about the alleged abuse until she saw her youngest son collapse Monday morning.

Sumpter was only in court a few minutes, where he asked the judge for a court-appointed attorney.

He remains locked up, with bail set at $150,000.

WSOC