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ST. CLAIR COUNTY, Mich. – A 3-year-old Port Huron Township boy was found dead in February 2018. Now, more than seven years later, his mother has admitted to second-degree murder in connection with his death as part of a plea deal. Amanda Mae Maison, 33, appeared before a judge in the 31st Circuit Court on Wednesday, Nov. 5, for the plea hearing, according to the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office. During the hearing, Maison said she was involved in a two-year relationship with Maurice Houle from 2016 up until the day of Matthew’s death. Maison admitted that Houle physically abused Matthew throughout their relationship and that she intentionally concealed her son’s injuries from Child Protective Services and other law enforcement officials during investigations from 2016 through the murder investigation, the sheriff’s office said. She also admitted that she had physically abused Matthew, too. Maison said she shoved her 3-year-old son’s head into a wall at their home during a “military style timeout.” Previous coverage --> Matthew Maison murder case: Evidence of abuse by mother, former boyfriend shared in court “Further, Amanda admitted that she willfully and wantonly allowed an environment to exist, where Matthew would be systemically abused, and that those abuses eventually resulted in Matthew’s death,” the sheriff’s office said. Maison also admitted that she and Houle had come up with a plan to conceal how Matthew died. As part of the plea agreement, Maison agreed to give testimony against Houle if the case heads to trial, and if it does, it’s expected to happen in early 2026. She was remanded to the St. Clair County Jail until her sentencing. She faces up to life in prison on the second-degree murder charge. Houle has been bound over to circuit court on a first-degree murder charge in connection with Matthew’s death and is currently lodged at the St. Clair County Jail. “Thank you to the many law enforcement officers, family members, and others for bringing us to this day,” said St. Clair County Sheriff Mat King. “Matthew is finally beginning to get the justice he deserves. The dedication to this case is unmatched. Although this is not the end, I am confident justice will be served,” says Sheriff Mat King. The case finally began moving forward in April, when Maison and Houle were arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with Matthew’s death. The arrests, which came more than seven years after the boy was found dead, were made after “significant recent developments,” in the case, the sheriff’s office said in April. During their arraignments, St. Clair County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Joshua Sparling detailed Matthew’s abuse, saying that his head would be banged into the wall and that he was locked in his room for hours without food or water. The autopsy showed that Matthew died from blunt force trauma from his injuries and possible suffocation, according to Sparling.
