The mother of Matthew Maison pleaded guilty to a charge of second degree homicide in the death of the three-year-old, seven years after the crime took place.
Amanda Mae Maison, age 33, appeared before St. Clair County Circuit Court Judge Cynthia Lane on Wednesday, November 5, to submit the plea.
Matthew was three and a half years old when he was murdered at his home in Port Huron Township in February of 2018. Matthew’s death was reported to police by the mother of Amanda’s then boyfriend, Maurice Houle. Amanda and Maurice were arraigned on murder charges in April 2025, with Maurice currently bound over to the 31st Circuit Court on a First Degree Homicide charge for Matthew’s death. He remains lodged at the St. Clair County Jail, awaiting trial.
In the plea hearing Wednesday morning, Amanda stated that she had a two-year relationship with Maurice Houle, from early 2016, up until the date of Matthew’s death. Amanda admitted that Maurice physically abused Matthew during their relationship, and that she also physically abused the child.
She further admitted that she willfully allowed an environment to exist where Matthew would be systemically abused, and willingly participated in intentionally concealing Matthew’s injuries from investigations by Child Protective Services and law enforcement, beginning in 2016 and through to the 2018 murder investigation. As such, she admitted that she participated with Maurice Houle in actively contriving a plan to conceal the manner of Matthew’s death from law enforcement.
In addition to pleading to second degree homicide, Amanda agreed to give truthful testimony in Maurice Houle’s trial, which is expected to be held sometime in early 2026. Her bond was cancelled, and she was remanded into the custody of the St. Clair County Jail until her sentencing.
The charge of 2nd degree homicide carries a possible sentence of life in prison.
