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Written by: A. Smith
Published November 18, 2025 @ 11:22 AM ET
JACKSON COUNTY, Ga. – The director of the Jackson County Emergency Management Agency and his wife were arrested Thursday on child cruelty charges more than a month after their son was convicted of multiple sexual assault charges, authorities said.
Philip Bryan Bullock, 50, and Karee Whitlock Bullock, 48, both of Hoschton, were taken into custody by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation on Nov. 13. Philip Bullock faces two counts each of aggravated assault, first-degree cruelty to children, and second-degree cruelty to children. Karee Bullock faces two counts of second-degree cruelty to children.
The arrests come after their son, Bryson Bullock, 21, was convicted on Sept. 12 in Jackson County Superior Court on 12 out of 18 charges, including rape, cruelty to children, aggravated assault, sexual exploitation of children, aggravated child molestation, and sexual battery of a child under 16. Bryson Bullock was sentenced to life in prison, with the first 65 years to be served behind bars.
The crimes were committed against three girls under the age of 18 between May 2020 and December 2021. Bryson Bullock was 16 to 17 years old at the time of the offenses.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said the charges against Philip and Karee Bullock stem from an ongoing, extensive investigation that began in July 2021 at the request of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities have not released details on how the parents’ alleged crimes are connected to their son’s sexual assault case.
Bryson Bullock has requested a new trial in his case, with a hearing scheduled for Nov. 25.
Once the GBI completes its investigation into Philip and Karee Bullock, the case will be turned over to the Piedmont Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.