A 51-year-old Clinton Township man was arraigned on charges of Involuntary Manslaughter and Vulnerable Adult Abuse in relation to the death of his father.
Michael Stirling is alleged to have left his father for dead on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, returning home on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
A neighbor saw Stirling attempting to enter his home and noticed he appeared disoriented. Clinton Township Police responded and assisted Stirling in gaining entry to his home. Once inside, officers conducted a welfare check on Stirling’s father, 77-year-old James Stirling, who was found deceased in his bed.
During the course of the investigation of his father’s death, Michael Stirling identified himself as his father’s live-in caretaker. Originally he told investigators that he last saw his father alive the previous day, however he then said he left the home on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 after he arranged for someone to look after him.
The person Michael Stirling said was to look after his father could not be located and the phone number for the person was a non-working number.
The medical examiner determined that Michael’s father James Stirlings death was dehydration, and the manner classified as homicide.
On Wednesday, August 6, 2025, Stirling was arraigned in the 41B District Court in Clinton Township, MI before Magistrate Ryan Zemke on the following charges:
– Homicide – Manslaughter – Involuntary, a 15-year felony
– Vulnerable Adult Abuse, Second Degree, a 4-year felony
Habitual Offender – Second Offense Notice, an aggravating sentencing factor
His bond was set at $250k cash/surety and he was referred to Community Mental Health for a substance abuse evaluation. If Stirling is able to post bond he must wear a steel cuff GPS tether, have no drugs or alcohol and be placed on house arrest.
“Today’s arraignment involves serious allegations that, according to the charges, resulted in the death of a vulnerable senior. My office remains committed to protecting the elderly in our community. When those entrusted with a loved one’s care are alleged to have failed in that duty, and harm results, we take those cases seriously and will pursue justice through the legal process,” said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido.
