Michigan couple sentenced to life in 5-year-old’s death

PORT HURON, Mich. – A Michigan couple has been sentenced to life in prison without parole in the death of 5-year-old Mackenzie Maison who had pneumonia and weighed just 25 pounds when an emergency crew found her last spring.

The Times Herald of Port Huron reported St. Clair County Circuit Judge Daniel Kelly said Thursday that others who saw what was happening to Mackenzie “and chose to do nothing are … equally responsible for this crime.”

Andrew Maison and Hilery Maison, his wife and the girl’s stepmother, were accused of abusing, torturing and starving Mackenzie in their Port Huron home, 60 miles northeast of Detroit.

Her 3-year-old sister Makayla also was malnourished and weighed 17 pounds.

The Maisons were convicted in January of first-degree murder, child abuse and torture.