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 caretakers on February 18, 2018. Amanda Maison, the mother, and Maurice Houle, her ex-boyfriend at the time of the incident, were arrested in connection with the tragic event. A post-mortem examination revealed that Matthew had succumbed to injuries from blunt force trauma and potential suffocation.
The former couple reportedly confessed to mistreating the child when apprehended, as per statements from prosecutors. Maison, aged 33, has admitted to second-degree homicide in connection to her son’s demise, acknowledging her mistreatment of Matthew during a court appearance on November 5. She disclosed that she engaged in a relationship with Houle, who was 28 when taken into custody, from early 2016 until the date of Matthew’s passing.
During court proceedings, Maison recounted an incident where she forcefully pushed her son’s head against a wall in their residence during a disciplinary episode known as a “military time-out,” as detailed by the St Clair County Sheriff’s Office. She admitted to enabling Houle’s abuse of the child and actively participating in concealing it from authorities. Furthermore, she confessed to collaborating with Houle to disguise the circumstances of Matthew’s death from law enforcement.
Authorities uncovered a disturbing scheme orchestrated by Houle and Maison to falsify the cause of Matthew’s prior injuries, a prosecutor revealed. Allegations included physical abuse from Houle, confinement without sustenance for extended periods, and an incident where Houle simulated play while placing a pillow over the child’s face.
The prosecuting attorney emphasized the severity of the case, highlighting the prolonged abuse suffered by Matthew at the hands of both defendants. Additionally, it was alleged that there was a plan to eliminate Matthew to prepare for a child the couple intended to have together. Maison also confessed to evading medical appointments for Matthew to prevent healthcare professionals from observing his injuries.
Both individuals were charged with first-degree murder in April, with Maison initially pleading not guilty. However, she later pleaded guilty to second-degree homicide on November 5 and agreed to provide testimony in Houle’s trial scheduled for early 2026.
