How Could You? Hall of Shame-Matthew and Cassandra Boatrite

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Quincy, Michigan, a former Quincy Police Reserve Officer and foster parent, Matthew Boatrite, and his wife Cassandra “are facing multiple charges tied to the discipline of their biological and foster children.

Documents obtained by News Channel 3 Friday show Matthew Boatrite and his wife, Cassandra, were arrested following interviews with their seven children, who told investigators they were subject to “cruel and unusual punishment” at home.

Many of the couple’s children say they had been struck on their “clothed buttocks” with a wooden board or leather belt to the point of leaving marks and bruising, according to documents.

They also detailed they were force fed dish soap chased with water to the point of becoming physically ill, hit across the face, choked, pulled up by their neck or hair, and handcuffed behind the back and forced to sit down for long periods of time, documents detailed.

Some of the children also told investigators that Matthew Boatrite has held a pistol to their head or pointed a gun at them on occasion, and one said she had been struck in the stomach region.

All of these incidents happened over the last year, according to documents.

As of Thursday, Matthew Boatrite is facing 25 charges, including child abuse and domestic violence, in Branch County.

These include:

• Six counts of second-degree child abuse
• Four counts of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder or by strangulation
• Two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon
• One count of felony firearm
• Six counts of fourth-degree child abuse
• Three counts of domestic violence

Cassandra Boatrite is facing 18 charges in the case. These include:

• Six counts of second-degree child abuse
• Four counts of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder or by strangulation
• Six counts of fourth-degree child abuse
• Two counts of domestic violence

Both parents’ bonds have been set at $200,000 cash/surety. They are scheduled to return to court for a probable cause hearing Dec. 30, 2025 at 9 a.m., followed by their preliminary examination on Jan. 6,2026 at 2 p.m., according to court documents.

They cannot contact their children, cannot have supervised contact with any minors under the age of 18, and cannot have weapons of any kind, documents detailed.

In addition, Matthew Boatrite is no longer a Reserve Officer with the Quincy Police Department, effective immediately, according to the department on Facebook.”

DOCS: Parents facing charges after children force fed dish soap, choked, hit with board
[WWMT 12/19/25 by Katie Sergent ]

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