In a deeply disturbing case from Michigan, a woman and her former boyfriend are facing serious charges for the death of a 3-year-old boy—her own son. The incident happened back in 2018, but shocking new details were revealed during recent court hearings.
The two are now accused of planning the boy’s death so they could afford to have another child together. This heartbreaking case has shocked the local community and raised questions about child safety and justice.
What Happened to 3-Year-Old Matthew Maison?
Matthew Maison was found dead in his bed on February 18, 2018, at his home in Port Huron Township, Michigan. His mother, Amanda Maison, and her then-boyfriend, Maurice Houle, were at the house.
At the time, there were signs of injuries on Matthew’s body, including bruises and a black eye. This was not the first time concerns had been raised about the boy’s well-being.
History of Abuse and CPS Reports
Before Matthew’s death, his grandfather had contacted Child Protective Services (CPS). He reported that he had seen signs of abuse and claimed Amanda had told him that Houle had physically hurt the child after a small accident.
But when CPS got involved, Amanda took back her words and cut ties with her father. This caused the case to go quiet, and unfortunately, Matthew remained in the same dangerous environment.
Shocking Details From Court Hearings
Recent court hearings revealed chilling information. Prosecutors said that both Amanda and Houle had abused Matthew for years. They also said both had made up false stories to cover up the child’s injuries.
During their interviews, each blamed the other for what happened, and both admitted to seeing the other try to smother the child with a pillow.
One detective shared that Houle used a cruel punishment called “military time-out,” where Matthew was forced to kneel by a wall with his hands on his head. In some cases, the boy’s head would be hit against the wall during these punishments.
The Alleged Motive: A Plan to Replace the Child
Prosecutors also shared a possible motive that has shocked many. They claim that Amanda and Houle wanted to have a baby together but believed they couldn’t afford it.
Amanda had already become pregnant once during their relationship but had an abortion. Prosecutors now say the couple planned to kill Matthew to make room in their lives for a future child they could raise together.
In fact, Amanda told investigators that Houle asked her to “take the fall” for the crime so he wouldn’t go to jail. This disturbing statement added to the evidence that this was not an accident but a planned act.
Judge Allows the Case to Move Forward
The judge in the case, John Monaghan, allowed prosecutors to include this motive in court. Despite objections from Amanda’s lawyer, the judge ruled that the background story of the pregnancy and the desire for another child was important evidence. He said the information helped explain why the couple might have seen Matthew as a problem.
In the end, the judge agreed that there was enough evidence to move the case to a higher court. Amanda Maison and Maurice Houle now face first-degree murder charges and could spend the rest of their lives in prison if found guilty.