Southern Michigan Couple Accused Of ‘Prolonged’ Abuse, Forcing Kids To Drink Dish Soap

[Sugar Cookie]

A Southern Michigan couple is facing a host of criminal charges over allegations they beat and strangled multiple minors within their household, including foster children, and forced them to drink dish soap until they grew sick.

The two, of Quincy, were arraigned Thursday, Dec. 18, in Branch County District Court — each on multiple counts of second-degree child abuse and assault with intent to do great bodily harm, both felonies, as well as individual counts of misdemeanor child abuse and domestic violence.

Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Stempien described the slate of accusations against the pair — the man, a former Quincy reserve police officer, and the woman, a local school bus driver — as “maybe one of the more severe, prolonged allegations of abuse in a household that I have seen in my career.”

“We essentially have seven children in the house that are all saying the same thing,” Stempien said, referring first to accusations made against both parents. “That over the course of the last year, these children were forced to drink dish soap until they vomited.”

The two also both allegedly choked or strangled some of their kids, he said, and severely spanked them.

Stempien added the man was reported to use equipment he received as a reserve officer in the abuse.

Southern Michigan couple accused of ‘prolonged’ abuse, forcing kids to drink dish soap

The Quincy couple, who were a local reserve police officer and a school bus driver, were arraigned on charges Thursday in Branch County. Seven children were reportedly in their home, including some in foster care.

www.mlive.com

Matthew Boatrite, who SHOCKINGLY SERVED as a Quincy Reserve Police Officer, is charged with SIX counts of second-degree child abuse, four counts of strangulation, two counts of assault with a weapon, one count of felony firearm, six counts of fourth-degree child abuse, and three counts of domestic violence. A man entrusted with public safety now stands accused of violently harming the very children he was supposed to protect.

After learning of Boatrite’s arrest, Quincy Police Chief Dalton Turmell confirmed he was IMMEDIATELY relieved of his duties.

Cassandra Boatrite who worked as a bus driver for the school district also faces her own staggering list of charges, including six counts of second-degree child abuse, four counts of strangulation, six counts of fourth-degree child abuse, and two counts of domestic violence.

https://www.thedailyreporter.com/story/news/crime/2025/12/18/a-quincy-couple-face-charges-after-a-child-abuse-investigation/87835210007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=false&gca-epti=z11xx94p118850c118850d00----v11xx94&gca-ft=160&gca-ds=sophi&fbclid=IwY2xjawO0Ma5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFHVmV0M2JCR0pqbDExNmxQc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHiUXGuUkXo

 

[Symmachus]

"You're telling me I need to drink dish soap?"

 

[Kleng]

They all have very reserved and closed off body language