PORT HURON TOWNSHIP, MI — In a heartbreaking case that has haunted the Michigan community for nearly seven years, authorities have finally charged two individuals in the death of 3-year-old Matthew M., who was killed in 2018 following what officials say was years of torture and abuse.
The child’s mother, Amanda M., 28, and her then-boyfriend, Maurice H., 31, were arrested and charged with first-degree murder after what the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office described as “significant recent developments” in the case. The couple is now being held without bond in the county jail.
A Pattern of Prolonged Abuse
During their arraignment, Assistant Prosecutor Josh Sparling presented disturbing details of long-term abuse Matthew endured in the care of his mother and her partner. Sparling described the mistreatment as “nothing short of torture.”
According to the prosecutor’s report, Matthew was:
- Forced to remain in painful “timeouts” where his head would be repeatedly banged against the wall
- Locked in a room for hours, often without food or water
- Subjected to suffocation games, including one instance where a pillow was pressed against his face under the guise of play
The most horrifying allegation is that Amanda and Maurice planned to kill the toddler so they could make room for a child of their own. This chilling motive adds an even more disturbing layer to the already harrowing case.
Cause of Death: Blunt Force and Asphyxiation
The Wayne County Medical Examiner, Dr. D. Spitz, ruled Matthew’s death a homicide, citing blunt traumatic injuries and signs of asphyxiation. The autopsy report indicated that the injuries were inflicted, not accidental, and that the final cause of death was a combination of beating and suffocation.
Dr. Spitz further described the extent and distribution of Matthew’s injuries as consistent with ongoing physical abuse, confirming what prosecutors and investigators feared.
A Family History of Violence
The horror of this case deepens when examining Amanda M.’s family background. Prosecutors revealed that Amanda’s brother, Andrew, and his wife, Hilery, are both serving life sentences without parole for the 2015 murder of Andrew’s 5-year-old daughter, Mackenzie, and for the abuse of another child.
The link between multiple family members and child abuse-related deaths raises serious concerns about intergenerational abuse, neglect, and systemic failures in child protection.
Community Reaction and Legal Developments
The Port Huron Township community has responded with a mix of grief and relief. For years, many residents had questioned what happened to young Matthew, and now, with charges filed, the community sees hope for justice and accountability.
Both Amanda M. and Maurice H. face first-degree murder charges, and no bail has been granted due to the severity of the case and the risk they pose to the public.
As the case progresses through the court system, the broader conversation about child welfare in Michigan intensifies. Advocates are calling for better safeguards and intervention systems to prevent similar tragedies, especially in homes with known histories of abuse.