Magna couple charged with 29 counts of child abuse, including targeting eight-year-old with weapon

MAGNA, Utah (KUTV) — Authorities filed 29 charges against a Magna couple, all related to allegations of child abuse that occurred over a four-year period.

Officials with the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office said officers were called to the residence of Kristopher Riley North and Sarah Louise Sorensen on August 21.

The two were in a romantic relationship and Sorensen contacted police to report that North had beaten and attempted to strangle her six-year-old son.

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When officers arrived, authorities said they found red marks on the boy's neck, scratches on his body, severe bruising and open wounds.

Sorensen has three young children, ages six, eight and nine. All were taken to the hospital for treatment.

Investigators reportedly found that North had abused all three children since 2020 by “forcing them to do push-ups, slapping them when they failed, kicking them multiple times, and choking them.”

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Authorities added that North allegedly ripped out the 8-year-old's hair on one occasion, leaving bald patches. “…On another occasion, he pointed a gun at his face,” officials said.

Sorenson never reported the abuse for four years.

North and Sorensen were each charged with 21 counts of second-degree aggravated assault and eight counts of child abuse (Class A misdemeanors).

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“We all have a higher responsibility to look after the well-being of the most vulnerable in our community. If we know or suspect child abuse is occurring, we all have an obligation to contact police and report it. If an alleged crime is not reported, it cannot be investigated, and if it is not investigated, it cannot be prosecuted,” said Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill. “If it is not prosecuted, perpetrators cannot be held accountable. We appreciate the thorough investigations by the Unified Police Department's detectives that made these charges possible,” said Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill. “All individuals accused of wrongdoing are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”

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