PORT HURON, Mich. – Police say two people are in custody in connection to the death of a 5-year-old Port Huron girl.
Child abuse is suspected in the death of Makenzie Maison. She was found unresponsive Tuesday night by police at a home in the 800 block of Oak Street. She was taken to a hospital, but could not be resuscitated and was later pronounced dead.
Police Chief Michael Reaves said Makenzie's 25-year-old father and 27-year-old stepmother are in custody on child abuse charges.
"There is evidence of foul play present at the scene," said Reaves. "We are treating this as a homicide investigation."
Watch: Port Huron police press conference
An autopsy is planned to determine the exact cause of death.
Three other children, all under the age of 11, were removed from the home. One was taken to hospital for malnourishment concerns. Reaves said she was taken to Children's Hospital in Detroit with severe signs of dehydration and malnourishment.
"Both children had severe signs of malnourishment and dehydration," he said. "The other two children appear to be fine."
Those other two children have been placed in protective custody.
Charges against the adults are pending the review of the investigation by the St. Clair County Prosecutor's Office.
Makenzie's mother lost custody to father in 2013
Shelby Coffee, who is Makenzie's mother, lost custody of the girl and her 3-year-old sister, Makala, to their father in 2013. She has not seen the children in a year and 1/2.
Coffee said she doesn't know if the girls' father and his wife have been intentionally ignoring Makenzie and her sister.
"All I got was, 'The kids are doing great, kids are doing great,'" she said. "Obviously, they're not."
Frank Hawkins, who is the father of Makenzie's stepmother, said he saw no signs of abuse and that the girls simply weren't eating.
"The kids have been giving her problems with eating. Both of the little girls have. We've lost a wonderful, young, beautiful grandchild," said Hawkins.