STATE OF MICHIGAN IN THE 55TH DISTRICT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF INGHAM PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN, Wy File No. 2300024FY CLAIRE ELIZABETH POWERS, Defendant . COMPLAINT AUTHORIZATION - SWEAR TO BEFORE THE HONORABLE, STEFANI C. GODSEY, DISTRICT MAGISTRATE Mason, Michigan - Wednesday, January 11, 2023 APPEARANCES: DETECTIVE MEGAN KLEIN Meridian Township Police Department 5151 Marsh Road Okemos, Michigan 48864 (517) 853-4800 TRANSCRIBED BY: Ms. JoAnn Betts, CER 15776 Certified Electronic Recorder (517) 676-8414TABLE OF CONTENTS WITNESSES: NONE EXHIBITS: NONEoe a aAH ek oED 10 ML 12 B 14 15 16 7 18 19 20 2 24 25 Mason, Michigan Wednesday, January 11, 2023 - 10:58 a.m. THE COURT: We are on the record in People of the State of Michigan versus Claire Elizabeth Powers, P-o-w-e-r-s. We have Detective Megan Klein of the Meridian Township Police Department before the Court. Detective, do you swear or affirm the testimony you are going to provide to the Court in this matter will be the truth? MS. KLEIN: I do. THE COURT: Thank you, ma/am. MS. KLEIN: On 3292022 at 0902 hours, MTPD officers were dispatched to 5867 Shaw Street, in Meridian Township, for two subjects in the water with a flipped over kayak. Once on scene it was later discovered that the victims in the situation were Claire Powers, and her son Liam Powers. while on scene medics had just pulled the child, Liam Powers out of the water, and placed him onto a stretcher. Liam Powers did not have a coat or life jacket on, or anywhere near him. And neither were located after the incident, as well. Both Claire, and Liam Powers were immediately transported to the hospital by East Lansing Fire Department. Amanda Arnett, the original caller was an off-duty firefighter for Meridian Township Police Department, and she called the incident in at 0900 hours. And she stated that she had heard “help me, help me” coming from the lake. Arnett, ran down to the docks, andem RA we ww 10 u 12 3 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 25 called Ingham County dispatch directly. She stated that she kept yelling to Claire to put the child on top of the kayak. Arnett said that she may have been hypothermic because she was not making a lot of sense. After approximately two minutes of waiting for East Lansing Police Departments rescue boats, the child had went under water. After another five minutes had passed, before rescue crews were able to paddle out to Liam, and grab him. Arnett did not see the child wearing a coat or a life vest. Also, on 3292022, myself and Detective Besonen xesponded to Sparrow Hospital, and made contact with Claire Powers, who is the mother of the deceased. Claire explained that she had just moved into the apartment complex in February, and the complex had a private dock with communal kayaks for residents to use. On that day she went down to the dock, grabbed a kayak where she placed Liam inside. She said that there were still patches of ice near the dock, so she used the oar to break the ice surrounding the kayak. Claire said that they broke free from the ice, and got into open water. After paddling for a short time, she advised she hit another patch of ice, and Liam fell off the kayak into the water. Claire had said that she tried to pull Liam out of the water, but his life vest had slipped off of Liam’s head, which caused her to tip over into the water, as well. That kayak began taking on water as Claire tried to pick up Liam, and put him back in the kayak. Claire said that Liam could not holdCer ane en 10 rt 12 13 on, and slipped back into the water. As she was not able to call for help because her phone had fell into the lake. Claixe advised that she was trying to break through the ice with her upper body, and shoulders, trying to get to shore while carrying Liam, but she was unsuccessful. Once at the hospital the time of death for Liam Powers was pronounced by Doctor Gerstner, at 10:05 while at Sparrow. Claire was identified by her Michigan ID, and she has no prior criminal history. SPO issued one count of second-degree murder. THE COURT: ‘The Court does find probable cause for one count of homicide murder, second degree. Probable cause to believe that Ms. Powers is responsible. (At 11:02 a.m., proceedings concluded) Icertify that this transcript, consisting of 5 pages, is a complete, true, and accurate record of the complaint authorization - swear to proceedings and testimony taken in this case as recorded on Wednesday, January 11, 2023. vate: _'aolaa. Flug Bete— Betts CuR 15776 55th District Court 700 Buhl Avenue Mason, Michigan 48854 (517) 676-8414