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Michigan Couple Accused Of Murdering 8-Year-Old Autistic Son Who Was Found Dead On The Couch
Mia and Brian Morrow allegedly took the child out of his learning center because they were "sick of them calling CPS." When authorities were notified of the boy's death, he weighed only 31 pounds.
A married couple in Michigan has been placed under arrest for the alleged prolonged neglect and murder of their 8-year-old autistic son.
Brian Morrow, 41, and Mia Morrow, 34, were arrested on multiple charges in connection with the May 2 death of their shared son, according to NBC South Bend, Indiana affiliate WNDU. Both were booked into the Berrien county jail on June 1 following a month-long investigation into the boy’s suspicious death and charged with first-degree murder and possession of methamphetamines and the psychedelic drug DMT.
Law enforcement officials were called to the St. Joseph home on May 3 after the boy’s grandmother reported the deceased child that afternoon. Per CBS affiliate WSBT, authorities believed the boy died the previous day and was left on the family couch.
The victim — whom the mother described as severely autistic — was underweight, weighing only 31 pounds. Mia Morrow told authorities her son’s health was going “downhill,” as he allegedly refused to eat or drink.
Court documents obtained by the WSBT state that the Morrows took the boy out of school at the LOGAN Autism Learning Center because, the mother said, she was “sick of them calling CPS on them.” Mia Morrow allegedly told police in her interview children’s protective services had investigated the home on several occasions after “unfounded” claims.
In one instance, the learning center voiced concerns after the victim vomited several times in a single day.
Brian Morrow’s daughter, who was not named, told authorities she suspected the married couple was regularly using methamphetamines, per court documents. She claimed her father and Mia neglected their son because he smelled like urine, adding that he was “so skinny, you could put your finger around his arms.”
The daughter stated the boy was typically confined to his bedroom and that he broke the bottom of his door so that he could stick his hand out, according to court records.
When asked by authorities why the Morrows waited a whole day to call 911 after the boy passed away, Mia Morrow said she didn’t want to “let go” of the child. Brian agreed that he wanted his wife to have time with their dead son.
Mia Morrow later admitted that she should have notified authorities earlier, citing the victim’s respiratory issues shortly before his death.
A subsequent investigation was initiated after responders called in the St. Joseph Department of Public Safety to examine the circumstances around the child’s death, according to WNDU.
His cause of death was not immediately known.
Brian and Mia Morrow appeared in court on Thursday, where a judge set bond at $700,000 for each defendant. They are due for a pre-exam conference on June 10.
