Michigan Couple Charged in 2018 Death of 3-Year-Old Matthew Maison in Alleged Plot to "Make Room" for Another Child

3-year-old Matthew Maison, whose tragic death in 2018 has led to murder charges against his mother and her former boyfriend, as prosecutors allege a disturbing motive behind the act.

St. Clair County, MI — A Michigan mother and her former boyfriend have been arrested and charged with the 2018 murder of her 3-year-old son, Matthew Maison, in what prosecutors allege was a twisted plan to "make room" for a new child the couple hoped to have together.

On April 11, 2025, Amanda Maison, 33, and Maurice Houle, 28, were arrested on charges of first-degree murder. Houle is also facing three counts of assaulting police officers during his violent arrest, which left one officer injured.

Matthew was found dead in his bed by babysitters on February 18, 2018. The child suffered years of horrific abuse, including starvation, confinement, and repeated head trauma, according to courtroom testimony by St. Clair County Assistant Prosecutor Joshua Sparling. Houle and Maison allegedly admitted to police that they both abused the child, often violently. One incident involved Houle placing a pillow over Matthew’s face, pretending to "play" while suffocating him.

The autopsy determined the cause of death to be blunt force trauma and suffocation. Prosecutors described this as part of a broader plan to remove Matthew from their lives and “make space” for a future child.

Evidence also revealed that Amanda Maison frequently lied to police, child protective services, and doctors to hide signs of abuse. She admitted to skipping medical appointments out of fear doctors would notice Matthew’s injuries.

The case has drawn public outrage and renewed criticism of systemic failures within Michigan’s child protective services. Despite multiple prior CPS investigations and family concerns, Matthew remained in a dangerous home.

Matthew’s maternal step-grandmother and his grandfather have long advocated for justice, forming the "Justice for Matthew" Facebook group to keep the case alive.

Amanda Maison’s brother and sister-in-law are also currently serving life sentences in a separate 2015 child homicide case involving Amanda’s nieces.

Amanda Maison and Maurice Houle have both pleaded not guilty. They remain in custody without bond and are due back in court on April 22 for probable cause hearings.