Man accused of slapping boys over escaped pet frog

A 26-year-old Sheboygan man was charged on Monday with two counts of child abuse for allegedly slapping two young boys who allowed his pet frog to temporarily escape. Christopher D. Sipe, of 1028-A Superior Ave., could face up to 15 years in prison, if convicted of both felony offences.

According to a criminal complaint: Sipe, who was living with the boys’ mother, got a frog in a cage on Friday and put it in the couple’s bedroom. He discovered the frog was missing later in the day and admitted striking both boys “very hard,” believing they were responsible, although the frog had already been found at that point.



Sipe said he had been drinking before he struck the boys, ages 6 and 8. The 8-year-old told police Sipe took him into a room and struck him in the face four times. He said his brother suffered a similar fate.

Both boys had large red and blue patches stretching from their noses to their ears, and the 6-year-old had a popped capillary in one eye. Another woman called police after observing the children’s injuries.