(COLDWATER) - A Quincy couple has been charged with child abuse.
Branch County Prosecuting Attorney, Zachary W. Stempien, has charged Cassandra Boatrite and Matthew Boatrite with numerous felony and misdemeanor charges as a result of an investigation into alleged child abuse against their children.
Matthew Boatrite was charged with 6 counts of second degree child abuse, 4 counts of strangulation, 2 counts of assault with a weapon, 1 count of felony firearm, 6 counts of fourth degree child abuse and 3 counts of domestic violence.
Cassandra Boatrite was charged with 6 counts of second degree child abuse, 4 counts of strangulation, 6 counts of fourth degree child abuse and 2 counts of domestic violence.
If convicted, the Boatrite's face up to 10 years in prison on the second degree child abuse charges and the strangulation charges.
The charges are the result of an investigation into suspected child abuse. On December 17, 2025, the Coldwater Department of Public Safety began an investigation and requested assistance from the Michigan State Police. During the joint investigation, allegations were made and evidence was gathered that indicated that the Boatrite's physically abused their children in various ways over the course of the last year.
After interviewing all parties, MSP arrested the Boatrite's and submitted charges to Stempien for review. The Boatrite's were arraigned Thursday with their bond set at $200,000. They were ordered to have no contact with the victims or any unsupervised contact with minor children.