Michigan father found guilty of killing 16-month-old son, leaving body in ditch

FLINT, Mich. (TCD) -- A jury recently found a 41-year-old man guilty of killing his son in 2022 and placing his body in a ditch on the side of the road.

Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton announced Wednesday, Feb. 7, that Michael Butler was convicted of felony murder, first-degree child abuse, concealing the death of an individual, and aggravated domestic violence in the death of his son, 16-month-old Chaos Butler. Butler faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.

On Aug. 25, 2022, at around 1:30 p.m., Montrose Township Police Department officers responded to the 9400 block of North Morrish Road in reference to a body in a ditch. A woman had reportedly observed Butler exit his vehicle on Dodge Road and set down something in the ditch across from her home. The woman walked over, found a "blue blanket with a skull sticking out," and subsequently called 911.

Authorities located the body of the victim in the blanket and suspected Chaos Butler had been deceased for several weeks before the discovery.

An autopsy determined the victim sustained skull fractures around the time of his death, as well as other fractures to his skull and ribs that had healed. Additionally, investigators learned Chaos had methamphetamine and cannabis in his system.

According to WNEM-TV, the victim’s mother was reportedly homeless, and Child Protective Services placed the toddler into Butler’s custody even though the Department of Health and Human Services filed a petition with the court against it.

Leyton said the petition argued it "was contrary to the welfare of the child to be placed with the father."

WNEM reports Butler’s sentencing is scheduled for March 18.

Leyton said back when Butler was arraigned, "You have a toddler who never had any chance whatsoever to live, and he ends up in a field abandoned by his own biological father. I can’t think of anything that’s sadder."

MORE:

• Jury Finds Mount Morris Father Guilty On All Counts in Death of 16-Month-Old Son - Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton 
• Father found guilty of murdering 16-month-old son - WNEM
• News Release, 8/28/2022 - Montrose Township Police Department
• Mich. man charged with murder after 16-month-old son is found dead in ditch on the side of the road, 8/30/2022 - TCD
• Father arraigned in death of 16-month-old boy found in ditch, 8/30/2022 - WNEM