Michigan mother Amanda Maison has pleaded guilty to second-degree homicide in the 2018 death of her 3-year-old son, Matthew, a case that drew regional attention for both its shocking allegations and years-long investigative timeline. The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the plea, entered on Wednesday, November 5, and said Maison will remain in custody while she awaits sentencing.
Authorities say Matthew was found dead in his bed on February 18, 2018, at the family’s home in Port Huron Township. An investigation began immediately after the child’s babysitters discovered his body, according to reports from the Times Herald and the Sanilac Broadcasting Company. In April, law enforcement arrested Maison and her then-boyfriend, Maurice Houle, charging both with first-degree murder.
Plea Details And New Admissions
Maison, 33, ultimately admitted in court that she abused her son and failed to protect him from additional abuse, statements later echoed in a release from the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office. During her plea hearing, she acknowledged an incident in which she pushed Matthew’s head into a wall during what she called a “military time-out.” She further told the judge that she enabled Houle’s alleged abuse and actively hid it from Child Protective Services and law enforcement.
In addition to the abuse admissions, Maison said she “willingly participated” in concealing the circumstances of Matthew’s death. The sheriff’s office noted she admitted to “actively contriving a plan to conceal the manner of Matthew’s death from law enforcement,” a critical detail that prosecutors argued showcases an effort to obstruct the investigation.
Prior to her plea, Maison and Houle had both pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder. As part of her agreement with prosecutors, Maison pleaded guilty to second-degree homicide and agreed to testify in Houle’s trial, which is currently scheduled for early 2026. She was remanded to the St. Clair County Jail and will remain there until sentencing. Under Michigan law, second-degree homicide can carry a sentence of up to life in prison.
Alleged Motive And Prosecution’s Case
Prosecutors previously alleged a disturbing motive behind the killing. According to ClickOnDetroit, St. Clair County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Joshua Sparling stated in court that Maison and Houle killed the child to “make room for a child that the two of them could have together.” Officials have also said the former couple admitted to abusing Matthew when they were arrested.
The sheriff’s office indicated that Maison and Houle broke up the same day Matthew died. Even so, statements made in court and by prosecutors frame the abuse as persistent and concealed, with Maison conceding in her plea that she helped hide signs of harm from authorities. The admissions, combined with the alleged motive and timeline, provide the backbone of the prosecution’s narrative as Houle’s trial approaches.
While a jury will ultimately decide the case against Houle, Maison’s testimony could become pivotal. Her plea not only reduces the potential charges she faces but positions her as a key witness in the state’s effort to secure a conviction against her former boyfriend.
What Comes Next In The Case
With her plea in place, Maison awaits a sentencing hearing that has not yet been scheduled. Sentencing in second-degree homicide cases in Michigan can vary widely depending on the facts presented at the hearing, including the severity and duration of abuse and the level of cooperation with authorities. The court will weigh Maison’s admissions and her agreement to testify when determining punishment.
As for Houle, his case proceeds toward trial in early 2026. He remains charged with first-degree murder and has pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors will likely rely on forensic evidence, prior statements, and Maison’s testimony to establish what happened inside the Port Huron Township home and why. Defense arguments have not been detailed publicly at this stage.
St. Clair County Sheriff Mat King praised the investigators and family members who have remained engaged with the case since 2018. “Thank you to the many law enforcement officers, family members, and others for bringing us to this day. Matthew is finally beginning to get the justice he deserves. The dedication to this case is unmatched,” King said following Maison’s plea. “Although this is not the end, I am confident justice will be served.”
For now, the plea marks a significant development in a complex, years-spanning criminal case—one that began with the devastating discovery of a child’s death and continues as the courts move toward a full accounting of responsibility. Maison’s testimony agreement ensures she will remain central to that process as the case against Houle takes shape.
Authorities have not released additional details about the ongoing investigation or further court dates. Anyone with information connected to the case is encouraged to contact the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office.
