ST. JOSEPH, Mich. (WWJ) - The mother and father of a young autistic boy who died in their home on May 2 have been charged with first-degree murder after authorities accuse the couple of long term neglect, authorities in West Michigan said.
According to WNDU-16, Brian Morrow, 41, and Mia Morrow, 34, were arraigned on several charges in Berrien County last week, including murder and drug possession, after their 8-year-old son was found dead in their home on the family's couch on May 2.
WNDU-16 reported that the boy's grandmother altered the police and both parents did not initially report their son's death when it occurred.
Authorities said the boy weighed only 31 lbs and was dead for over 24 hours when his body was discovered by police.
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The pair was booked in jail on June 1 after a month-long investigation conducted by the St. Joseph County Department of Public Safety into the child's death.
Police said the couple admitted to removing their shared son from the LOGAN Autism Learning Center because they were ”sick of them calling CPS on them.”
During her interview with officers, Mia said CPS was called on the couple several times, but the mother argued that the reasons for them coming out to the home was "unfounded."
Mia described her son as "severely autistic" and had been going “downhill" prior to his death -- his mother said that the boy had allegedly refused to eat or drink and was having respiratory issues before his death.
She admitted that she should have taken him for medical care, WSBT reported.
When pressed by police, Mia that she didn't call authorities when her son died because she didn't want to "let [him] go."
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Brian agreed with Mia's statement and said didn't call police because he wanted to let his wife have time with their dead son.
Court documents reported that Brian's daughter, who is unnamed, used to live with the couple and told police that the boy typically was kept in his room.
She told police that Brian and Mia didn't want to interact with the 8-year-old because he reeked of urine. She also said the boy was "so skinny, you could put your finger around his arms," WSBT reported.
Brian's daughter said the child ended up busting through the bottom of his bedroom door so he could get his hand through. She also told police that she thought the couple was using meth.
The exact cause of the child's death was not released by authorities and remains unknown at this time.
The couple was given a $700,000 cash or surety bond each and must wear a GPS tether. They are not allowed to interact with each other and were ordered to have no contact with anyone under 18 years old.
They are due back in court on June 10.