Michigan Man Charged After Bedridden Father Dies of Dehydration
A 51-year-old Michigan man is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly allowing his elderly, bedridden father to die from dehydration and then giving police conflicting accounts of the events surrounding the death.
Michael Stirling was arraigned this week in 41B District Court in Clinton Township on charges of involuntary manslaughter, vulnerable adult abuse, and habitual offender with a second offense notice. The charges stem from the death of his 77-year-old father, James Stirling, whose body was discovered in the fall of 2024.
According to the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office, James Stirling’s death was ruled a homicide, with dehydration listed as the cause. Prosecutors allege that Michael Stirling, who described himself as his father’s live-in caregiver, failed to provide the necessary care to keep his father alive.
“This arraignment involves serious allegations that, according to the charges, resulted in the death of a vulnerable senior,” said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido in a statement. “When those entrusted with a loved one’s care fail in that duty and harm results, we take those cases seriously and will pursue justice through the legal process.”
The case began to unfold on November 3, 2024, when a neighbor contacted police after noticing Michael Stirling appearing disoriented while trying to enter his own home on Nicke Street. Officers assisted the man inside and decided to perform a welfare check on his father. Inside the residence, they discovered the elder Stirling dead.
During questioning, Michael Stirling initially claimed he had seen his father the day before. He later changed his story, telling officers that he last saw his father on October 30 and had arranged for someone else to look after him in his absence. However, authorities were unable to locate the supposed caregiver, and the phone number provided by Stirling was non-working.
The investigation took months, with authorities slowly building a case that pointed toward negligence and a failure to care for a vulnerable adult. Prosecutors believe Michael Stirling’s actions—or lack thereof—directly contributed to his father’s death.
James Stirling was remembered in his obituary as “an all around nice person who enjoyed spending time with his family.” The brief eulogy noted that he would be missed by loving relatives and friends.
At his arraignment, Michael Stirling was ordered to undergo mental health evaluation and has since been placed in the custody of Macomb County Community Mental Health. He was assigned a $250,000 bond, which will take effect if he is discharged from the facility. As of now, he does not appear on the Macomb County Jail roster.
Stirling’s next court appearance is a probable cause conference scheduled for August 18. If convicted on all charges, and with his habitual offender status taken into account, he faces up to 19 years in prison, or possibly more depending on sentencing enhancements.
The case has sparked renewed concerns over elder care and the responsibilities of live-in caregivers, especially when the individual being cared for is completely dependent on others for survival. Prosecutors say they are determined to see justice served in what they describe as a tragic and preventable death.
