A Michigan mother and her ex-boyfriend are now facing serious charges after allegedly murdering her 3-year-old son in 2018. Prosecutors claim they wanted to “make room” for a child of their own.
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Investigation Into Matthew’s Death
The boy, 3-year-old Matthew Maison, was killed on Feb. 18, 2018, the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office in Michigan said in a statement announcing the arrests of his mother and her ex-boyfriend. Prosecutors now allege Amanda Maison, 33, and her then-boyfriend Maurice Houle, 28, tried to cover up years of abuse with a made-up story to explain the little boy’s previous injuries. According to WDIV, investigators even believe Houle’s mother was involved in what’s being called a “scheme of lies.”
St. Clair County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Joshua Sparling said the years-long investigation revealed that Matthew “suffered years of abuse at the hands of both defendants.”
Prosecutors claim Matthew was regularly forced to kneel in time-out, and was slapped in the face among other cruel punishments. In one chilling incident, Houle allegedly put a pillow over Matthew’s face “pretending like he was playing.”
Ultimately, medical Examiner Daniel Spitz reportedly concluded that Matthew died from a mix of blunt force trauma and asphyxiation.
“The extent, severity, and distribution of the traumatic injuries is indicative of inflicted trauma,” he wrote in his report.
Michigan Parents Arrested After Years Of Abuse
Finally, Maison and Houle were arrested on April 11 and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of little Matthew Maison. Authorities say Matthew was found dead in his bed by babysitters in Port Huron Township, Michigan, back in February 2018. Since then, his maternal grandparents had been fighting for justice, even creating a Facebook group called “Justice for Matthew” to raise awareness and push for answers.
In addition, prosecutors claimed the motive behind the abuse and murder was to “make room” for a new child the couple wanted to have together.
Also, Houle is facing charges for assaulting an officer during his arrest, and both suspects have pleaded not guilty.
More Shocking Details On The Case
Additionally, prosecutors allege the couple abused Matthew for years, even locking him up without food or water. According to court records, Amanda reportedly admitted to slamming her son’s head into the wall. She reportedly did so, so hard that it damaged the drywall.
Lastly, Amanda and Maurice are currently being held without bond. Their next hearing is reportedly set for April 22.
