A Michigan mother who was accused of killing her child with her former boyfriend has pled guilty to the toddler’s death in 2018.
Matthew Maison, 3, was slain in his house in Port Huron Township, Michigan, on February 18, 2018, according to the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office, which announced the arrest of his mother, Amanda Maison, and Maurice Houle, her boyfriend at the time.
On Wednesday, Nov. 5, the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office announced that Amanda, 33, pled guilty to a charge of second-degree homicide, nearly seven months after being arrested.
According to the Times Herald and the Sanilac Broadcasting Company, the investigation began after the child’s babysitters discovered him dead in his bed.
Prosecutors said in April that Amanda and Houle, who was 28 at the time of his arrest, killed Matthew in order to “make room for a child that the two of them could have together,” according to ClickOnDetroit, St. Clair County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Joshua Sparling stated in court.
According to prosecutors, the former couple admitted to the abuse when they were arrested.
Amanda acknowledged to abusing Matthew in court last week, pushing his “head into a wall in their home” during a “military time-out,” according to a statement from the sheriff’s office.
She told the judge she facilitated Houle’s alleged abuse of the child and “willingly participated” in concealing it from child protective services and police.
She also acknowledged to “actively contriving a plan to conceal the manner of Matthew’s death from law enforcement,” according to the sheriff’s office statement.
The pair, whose relationship ended on the day Matthew was slain, were charged with first-degree murder in April.
Both pled not guilty.
Amanda pleaded guilty to second-degree homicide last week.
As part of her plea, Amanda has consented to testify in Houle’s trial, which is set to begin in early 2026.
If you suspect child abuse, contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453.
