Testimony: Man killed 15-month-old boy by shoving him into TV stand
The Ypsilanti Township house where Michael Curtiss allegedly killed 15-month-old Chase Miller.
Daniel Brenner | AnnArbor.com
Editor's note: This story contains details that may be disturbing to some readers.
Courtroom testimony in the death of 15-month-old Chase Miller suggested the boy suffered a night of abusive horror at the hands of his baby sitter, 34-year-old Michael Curtiss.
The Ypsilanti Township man snorted heroin 20 minutes before becoming angry and pushing the toddler's head into a television stand, police testified at a preliminary examination in the 14B-District Court Friday.
At the exam, a judge ruled there was enough probable cause to bind Curtiss over to circuit court on charges of felony murder, first-degree child abuse and heroin possession.
![michael_curtiss[1].jpg](http://www.annarbor.com/assets_c/2012/10/michael_curtiss[1]-thumb-150x186-125553.jpg)
Michael Curtiss
Chase Miller
Deputy Washtenaw County Medical Examiner Dr. Bader J. Cassin, who ruled the death a homicide, testified Miller had bruises and scrapes on his legs, buttocks and genitals. Cassin said an injury to the back of Miller's head was the cause of death.
"There were two blood clots on the surface of the brain," Cassin said, adding that they were caused by a "sudden, violent action."
NIGHT OF ABUSE
A night of abuse preceded the push into the TV stand, police testified. Throughout the court proceeding, the prosecution sought to establish the sequence of events leading up to Miller's death starting with the 15-month-old boy being left with Curtiss.
Miller's mother, who was romantically involved with Curtiss, dropped the boy off at Curtiss' Ypsilanti Township home in the 1100 block of Fall River Road on her way to work on Oct. 21. Curtiss's 6-year-old son also was at the house, AnnArbor.com previously has reported.
Much of the timeline testified to was constructed from a statement Curtiss gave investigators during questioning. Det. Everette Robbins of the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office said the abuse began when Miller vomited on himself and ruined his clothes.
Curtiss told police he became angry and threw the toddler on a bed with enough force the boy bounced off and into the wall. Curtiss also told police he had used heroin about 20 minutes earlier and that the drug makes him lose his temper.
After undressing Miller, Curtiss forced the boy to sit on the toilet and held him there, gripping his legs which could have caused the bruising to the thighs, officials testified. The boy, who the prosecution pointed out was too young to be potty-trained, also fell into the toilet as Curtiss struggled with him, Robbins testified.
Curtiss told police he then drew a bath and forcibly put the 15-month-old into a safety seat, but did not latch it, Robbins said. The bruises to Miller's genitals are believed to have been sustained in the bathtub safety seat.
While Curtiss left Miller in the bathroom to go out and tend to his 6-year-old son, the toddler got out of the bathtub and wandered into the master bedroom, police said. As Miller was standing wet and naked at the foot of the bed, he urinated on himself. This enraged Curtiss and caused him to put his hand on Miller's head and push hard, according to Robbins' testimony.
"(Curtiss) said that he pushed (Miller) backward into a TV stand," Robbins said. "He said he was angry ... because the kid was peeing."
Curtiss then picked Miller up and placed him on the bed, where the boy began vomiting, according to testimony. Curtiss took Miller into the bathroom where he tried administering CPR, then called 911, police said.
INVESTIGATION LEADS TO CHARGES
Sheriff Det. Jamie Stitt was one of the officers to respond to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, where Miller was later pronounced dead, and Curtiss' house early in the morning on Oct. 22.
"We noticed inside the closet there were numerous prescription bottles," Stitt said.
A white dinner plate on a top shelf in the closet had a white powder on it that later tested positive as heroin. Police said there was 1.5 grams of heroin found at the house.
"He said he had not used any," Stitt said.
A drug test later performed on Curtiss revealed he had been using heroin. He was arrested on the drug charge and taken to the Washtenaw County Jail where he was questioned by several detectives before Robbins, who said Curtiss' story kept changing about what happened to Miller.
"He provided multiple versions," Robbins said. "He told me he lied."
Robbins added Curtiss told him he lied because he didn't want investigators to think he was responsible for Miller's death.
Prosecutors eventually charged Curtiss with open murder, first-degree child abuse and possessing less than 25 grams of heroin. Judge Charles Pope bound Curtiss over to circuit court despite an argument from Assistant Washtenaw County Public Defender Lorne Brown that Curtiss did not intend to harm Miller. Intention is needed for a first-degree child abuse charge. Since the felony murder charge is predicated on the child abuse charge, Brown argued the two charges should not be sent up to the higher court.
Pope disagreed.
"It's clear to the court that Mr. Curtiss, in his heroin-induced anger ... pushed (Miller)," he said. "It was his intent to cause physical injury to this child."
A pretrial hearing was scheduled for Jan. 29 at 1:30 p.m. in front of Judge Donald Shelton. Curtiss remains at the Washtenaw County Jail with no bond.
John Counts covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at johncounts@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
John
Thu, Jan 10, 2013 : 8:21 a.m.
This is CRAZY! I grew up with Mike, his dad and mine were friends when I was young. He was an awesome drummer and auto body guy. I seen him a few times and heard a little about him from other people around ypsi. I got in an argument with my fiance one night and I was taken to jail for a night. I was in a medical cell, right in front of Mike. I figured he was in jail for something stupid and I began to talk to him. He told what they were charging him with and I couldn't believe it, but to be honest one thing is for sure and two for certain; the times they are'a changing, they wait for no man, and trying to keep up has made us all a little crazy.... BUT DAMN!! I refuse to let any drug take the fall for this. A man is always responsible for his actions. I honestly knew Mike when he had a family and worked hard. Then divorce, hanging out with old friends instead of taking care of business. He told me everyone was in his corner; the mother of the child, and his family. I felt bad for him to be honest. But then he told me what they were trying to give him and I was like "damn!", thats a lot of time for Mike to be gone, but he's innocent he'll be ok, right? Then he proceeds to tell me he was thinking they'd give him 5-10 or something like that! NOW, IF I didn't do something I was being accused of, I'M NOT THINKING THEY'RE GONNA GIVE ME (EXPLETIVE)!! My mind was blown, I was convinced he did have something to with it. But he could just be so scared he don't know how to handle it, only he knows what REALLY happened. And that will be on his mind for the rest of his life. I don't have the heart to comment on the mother, it will be on her mind forever also.
brokenheart
Thu, Dec 27, 2012 : 5:23 p.m.
I know the mother very well. She is a great person with a kind heart. There is no way she would have left Chase there that night if she knew about the drugs. As far as the comment made about her leaving him with a man she was dating so shortly she knew him for years. Any one can read this article and devlope there ideas but that is how rumors get started. This was the most tragic thing this mother and all who love Chase has ever had to face. Please remember a mother is without her son and loved ones have lost an amazing little boy. The only one to blame is the man behind bars.
brokenheart
Tue, Jan 15, 2013 : 8:59 p.m.
There are a lot of people on drugs and no one knows it. Some people are very good at hiding it.
GM
Sun, Jan 6, 2013 : 12:43 a.m.
If she knew his guy so well, how could she not know he was on drugs? And for that matter how can his family not know he was on drugs?
annarbor28
Tue, Dec 25, 2012 : 5:38 a.m.
It should just be a straight murder charge. He deserves life in prison with no parole; unfortunately there is no death penalty in Michigan for this person. The child abuse charge and felony murder dilutes it. I never understood why a child who is murdered is considered differently than any other person. He killed the child in cold blood. He deserves to be in prison with no parole. End of story. The courts will reduce it somehow. They will take pity on him and forget the child. Then he will get out, find another girlfriend and kill another child.
Lisa Stevens Patterson
Wed, Dec 26, 2012 : 2:19 a.m.
Not if we have anything to do with it. He will be sent away for ever
ReThinkYOUROpinion
Sun, Dec 23, 2012 : 11:41 p.m.
This man is sick, and I am not giving him an easy ride, I am pretty sure he will never be out in his life time. You all that are so slamming against Melinda Morris, you don't have a clue, Right wing Bias uneducated conservatives . If you really want to help society, you would ask that social workers be paid a real living wage, that mental health care be provided, and that we have agencies that actually have the man power and time to look into people in need. This never had to happen, if she had alternatives, if he was in REAL treatment, If if if. It's done, what do we do now. What do we seek, what is it that we want. You all have left those that want help, and need help, behind.
ReThinkYOUROpinion
Sun, Dec 23, 2012 : 11:41 p.m.
Well, I have sat back and read alot of your comments over the last couple of years and now have to start saying something. This is tragic, sick and just not allowable. With that said, you all are ostriches and don't even care to educate yourselves. A doctor, MD, Shrink, Psych nurse whatever, only takes a 6 week rotation in Psych. What has been one of the greatest scourges of mankind ? Alcohol. Now, I am a recovering Alcoholic, and also have known hundreds of alcoholics, addicts and just plain sick people over the last 23 years in and around sobriety. We don't need to take the drugs away, we don't need to take the guns away, we don't need to take the warm body next us away, we don't need to take Christmas away ( an attempt at humor with such a volatile subject ) . What we need to do is offer the help, put stops in place when one is sick, Yes hate to tell you all addiction is a sickness, and to offer things like child care to those that can not afford it, real consoling, someplace for those that can't afford the Y, oh wait, did I say mental health care. Alot of you whiners, yes I said whiners, cut people down, and I am not saying this guy, but you are willing to cut anyone down that does not conform. Some people are sick, sick with mental illness, and can't get help, and then there are those private corporations that take money from the county, and don't produce squat. Listen, this man is sick, and any man or woman is sick that does that to a child. If the mother had options, and I am pretty sure she is or was in addiction, had help, and options to reach for, then there is just a chance, small as it may be, a chance. OK scream socialist, or what ever, Mental Health care is not available, Alot of you see your Shrinks, talk about how the wife or husband didn't fold the laundry right, or how your boss told you to do your job, And don't even get me started on jobs.
EyeHeartA2
Mon, Dec 24, 2012 : 1:35 p.m.
A paragraph (from the Greek paragraphos, "to write beside" or "written beside") is a self-contained unit of a discourse in writing dealing with a particular point or idea.
annarbor28
Sun, Dec 23, 2012 : 10:29 p.m.
Felony murder is not a true murder charge, like 1st or 2nd degree. It means that there was no intention to kill. Hitting a toddler with excessive force can only do one thing. This man is going to get off lightly because he killed a child. The courts should be ashamed.
Lisa Stevens Patterson
Mon, Dec 24, 2012 : 2:33 a.m.
And it is 1st degree murder charge 2 of them.
Dan r OBryan
Mon, Dec 24, 2012 : 1:40 a.m.
annarbor28 you dont no the law at all ,felony murder is a life sentence ,a murder was resulted in act of another felony
zip the cat
Sun, Dec 23, 2012 : 3:51 p.m.
Hopefully melinda morris will be out of a job when this gets to court or he'll be out with time served.
Lisa Stevens Patterson
Sun, Dec 23, 2012 : 6:19 p.m.
He does not go in front of her
Widow Wadman
Sun, Dec 23, 2012 : 1:10 p.m.
I had to force myself to read this story. That poor child. I hope that the justice is served.
Ann23
Sun, Dec 23, 2012 : 4:11 a.m.
This mother lost her child in a tragic way. As far as we know, she inflicted no harm on her child herself. We don't know how much she knew about this abuser or saw in him befoe she left her child with him. Anybody who doesn't think abusers can be expert con-artists is a fool. How many people posting on here leave their children with a caregiver without knowing them very well personally? Babysitters, daycare providers, teachers? What percentage of abusers are related to or close friends of the family? I'm not saying she was a great or perfect mother, I don't know, but, neither do most people on this site.
annarbor28
Sun, Dec 23, 2012 : 3:51 a.m.
Why is this not just a straight murder charge? Why is it lowered to child abuse. This should be a 1st or 2nd degree murder charge. Why do people who kill children get a break? The penalty should be doubled. With no protection in prison.
Lisa Stevens Patterson
Sun, Dec 23, 2012 : 6:18 p.m.
There are murder charges
pbehjatnia
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 9:28 p.m.
I am an attorney. I certified in juvenile. I cannot read this article to the end. I want to puke. I am sorry. Because of people like this I am no longer anti death penalty. God bless this scared little boy.
Dan r OBryan
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 8:15 p.m.
a mother protects her children ,they dont leave them with animals .so sorry for the choices made by the mother to be romantically involved with a drug abuser and child murderer . choices the child murderer made ,the choice the mother made .its sad for the innocent victim.
don miller
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 7:05 p.m.
Gina you don`t know your frind as well as you think. She does not have the kids back. matty is living with her dad and kriss is with an aunt. she has supervised visits, not custody.whwithout words becaus would she let anyone know about his drug use, that would incriminate her.We knew Curtiss family,babysat5 their kids, but i am still without words because Chase was my grandson.\
Lisa Stevens Patterson
Sun, Dec 23, 2012 : 6:17 p.m.
She does have her kids back and has full custody of Matty. So before you let things roll off the lips you really should know your facts. Mr. Miller. And I know all involved even Ben. Thank you
IAMSAM
Sun, Dec 23, 2012 : 12:41 a.m.
Not true...u better double check your facts.
Ed Anderson
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 1:09 p.m.
I do not understand why my really like to know why my comment was removed. There was no profanity. NO threats. In sum, 1) heroine does not make you a violent killer. You are already one to start. 2) he should be charged with torture and murder, including the emotional torture of the six year old who will surely be seriously damaged, if not already by these loser adults 3) the mother(s) who left their children with this creep deserve equal punishment, Your duty is to protect, no matter what! 4) these are the type of people that make me want the death penalty I am a liberal. But the sympathy for this man is absurd. If he had tortured and killed a dog, no one would be blaming the drugs or express sympathy for his emotional state when he wakes up in the morning. Get your priorities straight people. This kind of violent, neglectful parenting is true source of every nearly every single social woe!
Tru2Blu76
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 7:34 p.m.
"heroine does not make you a violent killer" -- a supposition supporting a false premise. Suppose anything you like - others have an equal right to suppose anyone choosing to use heroine is making a bad decision from the get-go. But certainly you're right to say this man deserves full blame for his brutal actions against a defenseless child. As for desiring greater punishments: will it become a matter of what the lynch mob desires even in cases of wrongful jury verdicts? According to some attorneys and other experts on our justice system: a significant number of people are erroneously convicted and punished. This, it should be mentioned, was why public executions became popular stage entertainment for a few centuries. The Ancient Roman State actually sustained its popularity by publicly staging the most savage punishments / executions on "convicted criminals" - including a guy named Jesus of Nazareth. BTW: I sympathize somewhat with you on the matter of having one of your comments removed. I will say that, with added attention and thought - you can "write your way around these and most other censors. Good luck. :-)
Life in Ypsi
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 5:06 p.m.
I said something similar, but my comment was removed. I'm amazed at the people defending neglectful parenting. I find it hard to believe neither mother had an indication of this man's character before the incident.
Gina Harmon
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 1:05 p.m.
I have known Chase's mom since we were little, and believe me, she had NO idea he was on drugs, or she would have NEVER have left her son with him. I also know MIke Curtiss, and no body knew he was on that drug and that bad, so for any one to blame Chase's mother, my friend. is wrong, or blame the drug, he said he took 20 min before, he knew what he was doing. and if Ann Arbor news takes my post down, they are wrong for doing so, my friend has went through a lot since this has happened, her and her other children, friends and family, so I please ask you do not bash my friend or the Curtiss family, now MIke Curtiss I don't care,
Tru2Blu76
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 7:18 p.m.
All rightee then: we stand corrected. Only - any negative comments re: your friend or Mr. Curtiss came in response to the news article, NOT from your testimony - which arrived "late." So lets have a little annoyance over news reports (and reporters and publishers) who provoke such unknowing comments. Okay now? Oh, and how do we know you're not Mike Curtiss writing on his own behalf? Or his attorney, etc.?
Steven Murphy
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 9:40 a.m.
God bless Chase Miller, in Jesus name, Amen.
rs
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 6:34 a.m.
Yeah, drugs dont harm society, lets legalize them all.
Tru2Blu76
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 5:45 a.m.
Disgusting, repugnant behavior on the part of an adult. We are designed as a species to defend, protect, support and guide our offspring. This man violated a rule which was built into us since the beginning of human history. Would AnnArbor.com like to give us the number of child abuse convictions in Michigan last year? It might help if we knew how many drug-using monsters we have out there. Here again, we see an innocent defenseless child paying the price for people's "recreational drug use." Some recreation, eh? And don't anyone say we can't control the drug trade: if there were no drug users spending billions of dollars per year on drugs, there would be no drug trade. There's something wrong with a culture which ignores, dismisses and justifies the use of mind-altering, decency-destroying drugs. "Maybe" it's time we changed our attitude toward drug users and acted to stop anyone from even seeking such evil substances. In the interest of thoroughness: it would be useful to know how that heroine came to be in that woman's home. Who bought it (from whom) and who brought it into the home? What are investigators saying about this? Shouldn't that be part of the investigation? I would think the mother would be interested in keeping such dangerous substances out of her home. So I wonder....
Tru2Blu76
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 7:12 p.m.
@Renee: better check your experts. I don't know where you got the idea that only parents of their own offspring protect those offspring. Everyone from anthropologists to psychologists will tell you that child-rearing /child-protection is a community effort. Can't say I'm grateful or appreciative of comments which needless (and wrongly) attempt to divert conversations into dead end debates. But I will say: "No thanks" to your line of thinking. :-)
Tru2Blu76
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 7:06 p.m.
@ alan: so re-phrasing is all that's needed? Fine: the woman should not have taken her child into THAT home. Happy now? :-)
Renee S.
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 2:23 p.m.
"We are designed as a species to defend, protect, support and guide our offspring. " Yes... OUR offspring. Not the offspring of another women. Lions kill cubs that are not their own... so do humans, apparently.
alan
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 1:09 p.m.
It wasn't her home.
Darncat
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 5:21 a.m.
Yes very sorry for all parties. Two familys torn up by this and my prayers go out to them all even this man so many people are calling a monster. I dont live in his shoes but I couldnt even imagine waking up in his them reality set in...you have done this horrible thing took a child's life...lost your own life and your own son is hurting so much and you can't go back and fix this awful thing you did. If only we could turn back time and get a do over. I will not judge him I am sure he is doing that himself. Plus God is the only one with the right to judge. I know what drugs do to people and he was not Mikey when he did this I hope you all know that. From my own battle with drugs I know I have done things that i would have never even imagined myself doing nothing this awful but still bad things things that still haunt me after over 7 years of beginning clean. All the hate won't bring Chase back. Chase you are in a better place now and my prayers for your family's loss. I also prayer for Mike and his family they are hurting too.
Faith
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 4:45 a.m.
I have been reading up on this case an let me say some things in this whole story don't make since to me! In one report it is reported that the mother was only dating this guy for a couple of weeks. I myself as a mother would not leave my child with someone I have only started dating for two weeks an especially if my child was so sick to the point of throwing up!!! It states that other children were in the home at the time of this incident why is their no report on weather those children seen or heard what was going on? This whole story is just sad an my heart goes out to both families such a tragic thing for both one loses a child an one loses a son an father. Also a sign of head injury is throwing up have they looked into why he was this sick an throwing up before the child was dropped off at this mans home? I have heard reports of another child to this mother that had lost it's life at a young age also have they looked into that or her for that matter? Now don't get me wrong what happened was absolutely horrible but reading some of these articles things just do not add up for me. I think the mother needs to also be charged to leave a child in someone else's hands that you have only been dating for what reports is only a couple of weeks is bizarre to me. Either way this baby deserves justice!!!!
Heartbroken
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 4:08 p.m.
The baby had been throwing up for days, sleeping all day he day prior. Your right things do not add up. Unfortunately the justice system don't care about the truth just to convicted someone
Ann23
Sun, Dec 23, 2012 : 4:35 a.m.
Was this baby throwing-up before he was left with this monster? There was nothing that implied that in this article.
heart
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 3:08 a.m.
Maybe they should have released the names on those pill bottles!! hmmm.....
Heartbroken
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 4:06 p.m.
Lisa why was there those people who claimed they didn't know he was on drugs supplying them?? Or people you know buying them..hmmm.
Lisa Stevens Patterson
Mon, Dec 24, 2012 : 8:05 p.m.
Why did he have them !!!!
Basic Bob
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 10:35 p.m.
The "patient" or the doctor's?
EyeHeartA2
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 1:58 a.m.
Where is the "legalize it, tax it" crowd tonight?
EyeHeartA2
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 8:19 p.m.
I wasn't joking. Much as we point out gun control as a potential solution to the Connecticut issue, any talk of legalizing drugs is pure folly as well. And yes, people do advocate for the legalization of heroin on these very boards. I guess tru2blu76 said it in a much more wordy way than I did. Had I written 3 paragraphs instead of 9 words would that have prevented the scolding? My feeling is that less wordy is better. Evidently you disagree.
sahm
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 4:26 p.m.
This is a completely inappropriate comment on an article such as this. A child lost his life, and two family's have been destroyed. Please take your jokes elsewhere.
JustinHale
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 3:09 a.m.
Right here Skippy. Although I'm not sure we're talking about the same legalization. Heroin and what you are talking about, two totally different worlds my friend. Awesome comment though, keep up the good work.
Sandra Samons
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 12:19 a.m.
PS to my last comment: What about the 6 y/o child who was exposed to this violence. Who is taking care of him now that he too has been traumatized??
Jimmyc
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 3:28 a.m.
@heart you sound like you are in the know. But were you there? If that 6 year old was in the house when that baby was killed then no doubt he either saw it, heard it, or a combination there of. I think Sandra's comments were out of concern for the child - not insensitive remarks. And yes, you are correct in that the 6 year old is traumatized by the loss of a parent - a responsibility that rests squarely on the shoulders of his father when he committed this heinous heinous crime. I do hope the 6 year old gets lots and lots of love from you and the other adults in his/her life.
heart
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 3:07 a.m.
This 6 y/o was not EVER exposed to any violence!!! He is being well taken care of by his mother and has ALWAYS been well taken care of my his FATHER!!!! The trauma he is going thru now is that of loosing his FATHER!!!! Thank go he is to little to read the news and the commets of insensitve people!!!
Chase Ingersoll
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 12:18 a.m.
Don't blame the drug. We use the drugs to rationalize behavior we would otherwise not engage in. Addict or recreational user, we rationalize using and use to rationalize. A drug is no more to blame than a gun. Neither have a mind and can decide to commit any particular evil. Man, not objects have the capacity to chose and destroy. The story is always the same. in that we look for some person, place, circumstance or inanimate object over which we supposedly have no control and blame our actions on our inability to control these other persons, places or circumstances.
Annie Cube
Fri, Jan 4, 2013 : 2:36 p.m.
@Basic Bob, heroine is not a symptom it's the cause of his actions. The man made a statement to police that he get's violent when using heroine. Therefore, he had prior knowledge of his behavior when he uses heroine. Let's not sugar coat this tragic event with the struggle of addiction.
Basic Bob
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 10:33 p.m.
@alan, He had no control over his life. Heroin is not the cause, it is the symptom. Many people who drink and drive have a "death wish", not just a sudden impulse to drive home that begins after drinking heavily.
alan
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 1:18 p.m.
You have an odd take. Nobody rationalizes bad behavior, but it is true that people under the influence do things that they might not otherwise do. But people do make a conscious decision to begin using drugs. It is similar to the alcoholic who knows he is alcoholic but decides to drink, then blacks out and kills someone in an auto accident. To suggest that he had any control at the time of the act is absurd, yet he did have control of the events that led him to that act.
Carole
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 11:35 p.m.
Disgusting. Totally disgusting.
brokenheart
Thu, Dec 27, 2012 : 5:38 p.m.
The mother should not be charged with anything. You people are so awful. If the mother who I know very well could have stoppes this from happening she would have. She did not know this side of this monster.
Life in Ypsi
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 11:14 p.m.
The mother needs to be charged with neglect for leaving her son with this monster!
blessed one
Sun, Dec 23, 2012 : 4:26 a.m.
I agree the mother should be charged with neglect. I know the mother and I know the monster who did this. I find it hard to believe she did not know of his drug habits Everyone knows of his habits. This whole situation makes me sick. I would never leave my kids with someone I had only been dating a short time.
Dan r OBryan
Sun, Dec 23, 2012 : 2:10 a.m.
the mother should be charged at least with child endangerment ,she left the child in the care of her boyfriend ,obviously she didnt no him ,if she didnt no about his drug habit . she left that child with that idiot .this poor child didnt deserve this , prisoner in jail will maker sure he has a really tough time . the guards will turn their heads . hope the prosecution brings charges against the mother too
Life in Ypsi
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 5:01 p.m.
What I am sickened by is a monster who killed a baby. I find it very hard to believe this monster was some knight in shining armor before this incident. No responsible parent leaves a child with some guy she just met not long ago.
laura1234
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 4:45 p.m.
agree w life in ypsi. I'm sure it's easy to feel sympathy for the mother if she's someone you know. As a mother of a baby about the same age, there is no way I would ever leave my baby with a guy I just started dating. I also find it really hard to believe his behavior was totally normal before this. Was he employed? He had no criminal record? No relationship problems with a heroin problem? I seriously doubt that killing a child was the first trouble he got into.
Renee S.
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 2:19 p.m.
You sicken me. Surely she feels enough guilt and grief already without people blaming her. What woman would ever think that someone she was involved with would KILL her child? The guy had another kid, she probably thought he was fine with kids based on that. The poor kid is gone now, the ones who are really suffering are those he left behind... especially his mother.
Gina Harmon
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 1:08 p.m.
the mother, who is my close friend, had no idea he was on drugs and that bad, she would have Never have left her son with him. so please know what's going on before you make comments like that, my friend Jill is going through enough
justcurious
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 10:47 p.m.
I cannot even continue to read this account. It is just too horrendous to think of the suffering of that little boy. I heard the dispatcher dispatch the 911 call that night and it sent chills down my spine. May some kind of justice be done. No excuses.
oldguy
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 10:35 p.m.
Sad, sad, sad that this child had to endure all that violence in his last moments of his life. Words fail me about the killer.
nickcarraweigh
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 10:26 p.m.
If this young man is convicted and sentenced to prison, I don't see him on any early release lists, or late release lists for that matter. Whoever will be President of the US when this guy gets released hasn't been born yet.
Tim Hornton
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 10:40 p.m.
You don't know the Michigan Department of Corruptions.. I mean Corrections then. They are letting everybody out possible that has breath to save money and will hardly ever return a person on parole back to prison (even after committing new crimes) so they can say recidivism is down and all the brass can keep their jobs and look like champs. Parole Boards don't care about justice or public safety.
tdw
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 10:34 p.m.
I wouldn't be so sure there nick.People who hurt children aren't very popular in prison.
talker
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 10:13 p.m.
What that man did sickens me. It likely sickens everyone here. I have a grandchild almost the age of the murder victim. I have no idea what drugs might have done to the killer's behavior, but how could any human being do even one of the things he did to that baby.
Nick Lacy
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 9:27 p.m.
"This story contains details that may be disturbing to some readers. " Should read "This story contains details that should be disturbing to all readers." So sad.
Veracity
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 11:08 p.m.
Well said!
Connie Hart
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 9:26 p.m.
I just want to know why the mother isn't being charged and the kids taken away from her?
Ann23
Sun, Dec 23, 2012 : 3:50 a.m.
Her child was taken away from her. Also, abusers are con-artists. Don't blame their victims for their (the abuser's) crimes.
Dan r OBryan
Sun, Dec 23, 2012 : 3:48 a.m.
Gina ,she really sounds like a wonderful mother
Gina Harmon
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 1:15 p.m.
she has 2 more children , 2 girl's, and yes she has lost them because of this bs, of mike's, but she has them back because she deserve's her children, she's a wonderful mother and friend, I also know Mike Curtiss his own family didn't know he was on drugs or even that bad
Gina Harmon
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 1:11 p.m.
the mother is my close friend, she's had a lot taken from her, also she had NO idea he was even on drugs, not even his own family who I also know, so please don't blame innocent people or point fingers until you know the whole story, please
alan
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 1:07 p.m.
Her kid is already gone. Nowhere does the story suggest that she has more. It does say that Mr. Curtiss has at least one other child.
jrtluvr1959
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 9:23 p.m.
Sick to my stomach......though nothing like what that poor helpless baby must have felt
Katie
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 9:09 p.m.
How sad for that little baby. How sad for the ones who loved him.
Kyle Mattson
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 9:03 p.m.
Hi All- We understand the strong emotional reaction to details such as this and find it just as hard to report as it is to read. However, please keep in mind that this is an ongoing trial which we will continue to provide updates on. As a result we request readers to avoid posting comments which assert guilt until a final judgement is made. Thank you for your understanding.
mermaid72
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 1:59 p.m.
It's really difficult not to make a judgement about such a person as the accused. Or the mom who left her child with such a person. Or the entire situation. What do you expect your readers to say or think? Give him a chance? Let's hear his side of the story? Don't judge others? I think you are asking for too much understanding ,Kyle.
brian
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 3:28 a.m.
Sooo, if this man is found guilty, you will not have a problem with me giving my opinion on this person. Thanks.
heart
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 3:04 a.m.
why even post such an article for people to make their ignorant comments??
Sandra Samons
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 12:16 a.m.
I wish you would stop referring to this baby as "Miller". It makes it sound like he was an adult rather than a baby. At least call him by his first name. Under what circumstances is it ever appropriate to call a baby by his last name only? The facts are raw enough w/o adding insult to injury.
Tim Hornton
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 10:26 p.m.
The man admitted this all to the police that he hurt this little boy. All "assertions" of guilt are correct. Now it's up to see as to what specific technical charge he is convicted of (probably by plea). Use some common sense AAnews.
Elaine F. Owsley
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 9:30 p.m.
It's this man's "final judgment" that will be hardest of all.
Linda Peck
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 8:55 p.m.
You folks at annarbor.com can delete my comment if you like, as you are the controller here, but this type of behavior is so horrific that, if indeed this man is found guilty, he should be sentence to the full extent of the law and kept away from other people, especially helpless babies!! I said this before and it was removed from the comments.
sahm
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 4:19 p.m.
He will probably be kept in Solitary once he is convicted, but I can guess that the other inmates will do everything in their power to "give back" to this sick man what pain and fear he instilled upon this precious baby.
Rachel Barsch
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 8:53 p.m.
I agree that this was a hard read, @subroutine. I cannot imagine handling a child this way, especially given his age and for his perceived infractions. May peace be with you now, baby boy!
John Counts
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 8:48 p.m.
Hi WalkingJoe: The public defender was arguing that there wasn't intention to harm the child in a legal sense. The state defines first-degree child abuse as when "the person knowingly or intentionally causes serious physical or serious mental harm to a child." Curtiss' attorney said there wasn't "specific intent" to cause that type of harm. Here's a link to the state's definitions of the various child abuse charges: http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(qdbm0jao3sjoaw45qmiuwpjt))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectname=mcl-750-136b
heart
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 3:03 a.m.
a few corrections need to be made..It was never said how the herion was administered and nor did it ever say that Chase walked into the room. He couldnt WALK!!! This is a horrible story is it really necessary to put all these detail in a news article? just saying...
WalkingJoe
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 8:38 p.m.
What was his attorney thinking when they argued that he didn't mean to hurt this child? Throw him onto the bed so hard he bounced into the wall, try to forcibly potty train and bath him, then throw him into a tv stand. Just what exactly does this attorney think he was trying to do?
Basic Bob
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 10:26 p.m.
Don't be so tough on the lawyer. He is a public defender, provided at no charge to the accused. He is doing his job to the best of his ability. It is not his responsibility to judge the guilt of the accused, only to represent him. If the accused is wrongly convicted of a higher charge, he can be freed on appeal, especially if his attorney does not do his job. We run the risk of having people committing crimes and being released on "technicalities" when the court is not fair and thorough.
Veracity
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 11:05 p.m.
The attorney was advocating for his client who he is sworn to assist legally to the maximum of his ability. For this reason lawyers who know for a fact that their clients are guilty of murder will make every effort to have juries or judges free the clients. Some attorneys are more successful than others and usually are rewarded with big fees. DISCLAIMER: I am not in favor of this system. Attorneys should have a responsibility to society that supercedes their responsibility to their clients.
Bubba43
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 8:51 p.m.
There are attorney's & there ARE attorneys!! We certainly have to many!
81wolverine
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 8:26 p.m.
There's no place in society for someone like this Curtiss. What a disgusting and sad story. It makes you wonder what the mother of the unfortunate child could have seen in a "person" like that.
aamom
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 12:45 a.m.
Mom had to have known about his heroin use. I hope they didn't leave the 6 year old in her care. Her judgement can't be trusted. God bless that baby boy.
Subroutine
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 8:16 p.m.
Wow. This is horrifying. I couldn't even finish reading this.
Chimay
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 5:19 a.m.
I couldn't either. I wish I hadn't seen the headline at all.