Mom admits to killing toddler to ‘make room’ for another kid

A 33-year-old Michigan mother has admitted to killing her 3-year-old son, who authorities say endured years of systematic abuse at the hands of her and her boyfriend before ultimately being beaten to death.

Amanda Mae Maison formally pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of second-degree murder in the 2018 death of her son, Matthew Maison, the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office announced. As part of a plea agreement with prosecutors, Maison also agreed to provide truthful testimony against her former boyfriend, Maurice Houle, who faces first-degree murder charges in the case.

“In the plea hearing Wednesday morning, Amanda Maison admitted to a two-year relationship with Maurice Houle from early 2016 until the date of Matthew’s death,” the sheriff’s office said in a news release. “She stated that Houle physically abused Matthew during that time and that she intentionally concealed Matthew’s injuries from Child Protective Services and law enforcement. Maison also admitted that she participated in the abuse, including pushing Matthew’s head into a wall during a so-called ‘military time out.’”

Following the hearing, the court revoked Maison’s bond and remanded her to St. Clair County Jail pending sentencing. The second-degree murder conviction carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

“Thank you to the many law enforcement officers, family members, and others for bringing us to this day,” Sheriff Mat King said. “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.”

Matthew was found dead in his bed on February 18, 2018, in the family’s Port Huron Township home. Prosecutors said during a preliminary hearing in April that he suffered years of abuse at the hands of both Maison and Houle.

Investigators noted visible injuries on Matthew, including bruising and a black eye. Reports show that the child’s grandfather had previously alerted Child Protective Services after Maison claimed to witness Houle physically discipline Matthew. However, Maison later retracted her statement and cut off contact with her father.

During interviews, Houle initially tried to shift blame onto Maison, but later admitted to punishing Matthew with “military time-outs,” which involved kneeling against a wall with hands on the head—sometimes resulting in the child’s head being struck against the wall.

Maison and Houle also gave conflicting accounts in 2025, each claiming the other attempted to smother Matthew with a pillow. Maison alleged that Houle had killed her son and asked her to “take the fall” to protect him from prison.

Prosecutors said evidence shows the couple had discussed having another child, and that Matthew was viewed as an obstacle. The judge allowed testimony regarding a past abortion decision, reasoning the evidence helped establish the couple’s alleged motive.

“Over the last seven years, the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office has been unwavering in its commitment to bring justice for Matthew,” the office said. “Detectives have worked continuously to gather the evidence necessary for arrest, trial, and conviction.”

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