A woman and her former partner are facing allegations of causing the death of her three-year-old son to create space for a child they planned to have together. The young boy, Matthew Maison, was discovered deceased in his home in Port Huron Township, Michigan, by his caregivers on February 18, 2018. Amanda Maison, Matthew’s mother, and Maurice Houle, her ex-boyfriend at the time of the incident, were taken into custody regarding the incident. The autopsy findings revealed that Matthew succumbed to injuries from blunt force trauma and possible suffocation.
The pair reportedly confessed to mistreating the child when apprehended, as per prosecutors. Maison, aged 33, has admitted to a charge of second-degree homicide related to her son’s demise. During her plea declaration on November 5, she acknowledged her abuse of Matthew. Maison disclosed that she engaged in a two-year relationship with Houle, then 28, from early 2016 until Matthew’s death.
Maison confessed in court to enabling Houle’s alleged abuse of her son and actively concealing it from authorities. She also admitted to devising a plan to hide the circumstances of Matthew’s death from law enforcement. The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office reported that Maison disclosed her complicity in the systematic abuse leading to Matthew’s death.
Authorities uncovered a disturbing scheme by Houle and Maison to fabricate stories about Matthew’s prior injuries. Allegedly, Houle physically assaulted Matthew, confined him without sustenance, and once placed a pillow over his face in a pretense. The prosecuting attorney highlighted the severity of the case, emphasizing the prolonged abuse suffered by Matthew.
The prosecutor also mentioned a purported plan to eliminate Matthew to make space for a joint child. Maison admitted to evading medical appointments for Matthew to conceal his injuries. Initially charged with first-degree murder in April, both defendants pleaded not guilty. However, Maison changed her plea to second-degree homicide on November 5 and has agreed to testify against Houle in the forthcoming trial set for early 2026.