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HARRISVILLE -- Nickolas Corey, 23, pleaded guilty on July 28 to one count of first degree child abuse.
In January, The News reported that Sabrina Horton, 22, and Corey were both arrested for charges linked to a child abuse case that began on May 24, 2025.
Horton was initially charged with one count of first-degree child abuse in Alcona County.
At Corey’s preliminary examination in February, The News reported that the victim in the alleged abuse was Corey and Horton’s three month old infant. Corey and Horton were previously a couple.
It was alleged that Corey was awake with his three month old infant on the night of May 22. On the morning of May 23, the child was struggling to breathe, was cold to the touch, and had his arms sticking straight out in front of him with clenched fists. Horton called 911 and the child was transported to MyMichigan Medical Center Tawas. From there, the infant was transported to Hurley Medical Center in Flint, and then to University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.
Dr. Carla Parkin-Joseph, child abuse pediatrician at C.S. Mott testified during the examination that the most consistent diagnosis, in relation to the injuries identified for the child, would be child physical abuse or abusive head trauma.
Abusive head trauma is the term now used for what was formerly called shaken baby syndrome.
Horton was formerly charged with first degree child abuse, but that charge was dismissed in a plea deal on Feb. 20, when she waived her right to a preliminary examination.
She then pleaded guilty to a charge of using computers to commit a crime and a charge of accessory after the fact to a felony
At Corey's last hearing on July 7, Alcona County Prosecuting Attorney Elizabeth Reed said she had received some new evidence that would potentially change the trajectory of how the case is handled.
Corey was scheduled for a jury trial on Aug. 19, which has since been canceled due to the plea deal. His next hearing will now be a sentencing at 9:30 a.m. on Aug. 25 in the Alcona County Courthouse.
Reed is recommending that Corey be sentenced to six and a half years to 10 years in prison, according to the 23rd Circuit Court.
Horton will be sentenced at 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 25.