A Michigan father has been sentenced to life behind bars for the gruesome murder of his 16-month-old son, Chaos Demilo McCarthy. Michael Butler, 41, from Mt. Morris Township, was handed down the life sentence without the possibility of parole on Monday for the felony murder of his child.
Authorities discovered the lifeless body of baby Chaos wrapped in a blue blanket, dumped in a ditch along N. Morrish Road on Aug. 25, 2022, a sighting that was first noticed by a concerned woman, WNEM reported. The woman reportedly saw Butler exit his vehicle, and place an object in the ditch across her home before making the chilling discovery that prompted her to alert the police.
Upon arriving at the scene, responding officers found the young boy, who prosecutors believe had been deceased for several weeks. An autopsy revealed that Chaos had suffered multiple injuries, including skull fractures that likely occurred around the time of his death, as well as older skull and rib fractures that had already healed, ABC12, reported. The toxicology results also indicated the presence of methamphetamine and cannabis in his system.
Butler was found guilty on multiple charges including felony murder, first-degree child abuse, concealing a death, and aggravated domestic violence. "This was a tragic and sad case and this morning’s sentence is a just conclusion under the law for the actions of Michael Butler," Genesee Prosecutor David Leyton told WNEM. The child's death came shortly after Butler was awarded temporary custody, despite a prior felony conviction and the removal of Chaos's siblings from their mother's custody, information from ABC12 detailed.
Aside from the life sentence for the felony murder charge, Butler received concurrent sentences for his other charges. The case has been closely observed by the local community, and the trial packed with emotional testimonies about the short and tragic life of Chaos Demilo McCarthy.
