4 yr old Carnel Chamberlain murdered, buried & burned at his home/BF Anthony Bennett indicted by Federal Grand Jury & charged with 1st degree murder/Mom Jaimee Chamberlain arrested on felony drug charges/Bennett's trial begins 4.23.13 for Carnel's murder

and testing positive for synthetic marijuana

WTH is that??

Raine, thanks for posting this. WOW!! Wonder if the mother had any clue about her bf's past and rap sheet.

I agree she should be charged but she won't be.

Wrapitup wrote:

and testing positive for synthetic marijuana

WTH is that??

Raine, thanks for posting this. WOW!! Wonder if the mother had any clue about her bf's past and rap sheet.

I agree she should be charged but she won't be.

'Synthetic cannabis is a psychoactive designer drug derived of natural herbs sprayed with synthetic chemicals that, when consumed, allegedly mimic the pleasurable effects of cannabis. It is best known by the brand names K2[1] and Spice,[2] both of which have largely become genericized trademarks used to refer to any synthetic cannabis product. (It is also for this reason that synthetic cannabis is often referred to as spice product, due to the latter.)'
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I didn't really know the answer to that question Wrap.
I too wonder if the Mom knew the extent of his past and rap sheet, there's so much I don't even know how HE could remember all of it!

I have heard there is something in the store you can buy that has THC in it and it's legal and I think it's this Spice thing so I don't get it. That's not even the point and don't want to go but thanks for letting me know.

This guy was a walking timebomb!!

A federal grand jury has charged a man with assaulting 4-year-old Carnel Chamberlain weeks before the boy's remains were found buried and badly burned under his house on the Saginaw Chippewa Indian reservation near Mt. Pleasant.

Anthony Bennett, 20, is not charged in the boy's death. The indictment filed Wednesday replaces a temporary assault charge that has kept him in jail since late June.

Bennett lived at the home with Carnel and the boy's mother, Jaimee Chamberlain. She has said Bennett was watching her son while she was at work June 21, the day Carnel disappeared. His remains were found June 28.

The homicide investigation remains active.
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Good, he is not going any where any time soon.

MOUNT PLEASANT, MI — A pamphlet with photographs of Carnel Chamberlain brought tears to the eyes of hundreds Sunday, as people gathered at a memorial service to share prayers and stories of the 4-year-old boy.
Sitting in the Soaring Eagle Casino Entertainment Hall, visitors listened to family members talk about Carnel Chamberlain and how he brought joy to their lives.
Those in attendance clutched carnelian stones that were passed out. The stones, attached with a safety pin to a picture of Carnel, are meant to bring emotional warmth and give courage.
The memorial service began at 2 p.m. with a water blessing, which is a tribal tradition.
Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribal Public Relations Director Frank Cloutier welcomed everyone and offered his condolences to Carnel Chamberlain's family.
Carnel went missing June 21 from his home on the Isabella Federal Reservation.
Search teams spent seven days combing through the reservation and surrounding areas looking for the boy.
On the seventh day, family members said a substantial portion of his body was found badly burned underneath the porch of his home.
"This has gone national and it has touched hundreds of thousands of hearts," Cloutier said.
Marion Williams, a family member, read Carnel's obituary at the memorial service.
She continued on after the obituary to talk about the 4-year-old and his loving characteristics.
"He was a very precious little boy," she said.

Williams told one of her favorite memories of Carnel.
While most people say "good morning" when they wake up, she said Carnel had a different way of greeting everyone.
"He would always say, 'how did you sleep?'
"It came right from the bottom of his gut. You could tell he really wanted to know," she said with a shaky voice, but maintaining a smile.
Two Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe Community Elders performed Amazing Grace with an acoustic guitar after Williams' speech.
The elders said they didn't know Carnel personally, but know the family and wanted to send condolences.
After a few other acknowledgements, there was another performance.
Several people from the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe, and other tribes, sang about the "beautiful place" that Carnel went to.
The group explained the song prior to performing it in the native language.
They said it is a "song of giving strength to the spirit."
Between verses of the song, they called out the boy's name.
The ceremony ended with a letter from Carnel's birth father being read.
The boy's father, Byron Keith Frances, is in prison on assault charges.
He wrote about fishing and watching television shows with his son. He thanked those who helped search for Carnel and said that he will never forget when he heard the news of his boy.
His letter said he is just trying to figure out how to deal with tomorrow.
A private funeral will be scheduled after the investigation is finished, family members said.
Cloutier told the Saginaw News that it would be a long time before things seemed normal again.
"This has had a tremendous impact on everybody," he said.
Carnel Chamberlain's mother, Jaimee Chamberlain, was working the day he went missing. She left him in the care of her now ex-boyfriend, Anthony Bennett.
Bennett, 20, was charged with abusing Carnel. He was indicted last Wednesday.
He is facing a pending charge of assault within maritime and/or territorial jurisdiction. A hearing in U.S. Federal Court in Bay City is scheduled for Monday.
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Flyers that were being passed out to those attending the memorial service for Carnel Chamberlain had to be replenished frequently at the Soaring Eagle Casino Entertainment Hall in Mount Pleasant Sunday afternoon.

The mother of Carnel Chamberlain was not present during a recent memorial service held in the slain child's honor, but why? It appears that Jaimee Chamberlain has been an elusive character during this case, and it's even been speculated that she could be hiding from police regarding her passive role in the child's death. Meanwhile, the man possibly responsible for murdering the young lad has pleaded not guilty for beating him. He has yet to be charged for the child's murder, even though it is apparent that the child didn't kill himself, burn his own remains, and then bury himself beneath the family porch.
Nevermind how strangely the authorities are going about laying charges in this senseless killing. What about the child's mother? It is now public knowledge that little Carnel Chamberlain was abused by Anthony Bennett, which was witnessed by the woman who did nothing to stop it. She admitted to the FBI that she watched Bennett choke slam her son and drag him from one room to the other in their home until he had bleeding lacerations on his body. This blatant abuse was left unchecked by the very person who was responsible for the child's care and protection, yet she instead partied with friends and worked a night job, leaving the child in the company of a man who most likely killed him.

Her own brother wants her to face charges, and on his public Facebook page, he has shared a petition in hopes that she will be arrested for failing to protect his nephew, a boy who she gave up for adoption only to get back for unknown reasons. Jaimee Chamberlain hasn't been present in any function regarding her murdered son, but she has been witnessed, according to her brother, partying with her friends and living as though she never had a child. This in itself reveals the personality of the woman who did nothing to stop the abuse of the little four-year-old boy.

As for Anthony Bennett, he will remain in jail throughout his trial, even though he was only charged with abuse. He pleaded not guilty, but considering the evidence against him, it's a moot point. [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] only digging that hole for himself deeper.

I could not find the FB page for Jaimee' s brother's but I found this petition with the comment supposedly from her brother. I have no idea if this is her brother or not.

'Why People Are Signing

Brittany Wilcox
14 days ago
28 people like this reason
The following is posted by Jaimee's brother:
Written by Tommy ( Jaimee's brother)
this is so sad. the week before carnel died he shaved carnels head. jamiee is my sister were native american and white. alot people dont look into the reason on why she got a job. the house hold made 7 to 8 thosand dollars a month, without no job. so why not stay home and live life with your family? why get a small time job out the blue. plus my mom took care of carnel. carnel died only a month in my sister care.
he set my nephew up and got him really for his demise. and its also funny carnel died in june. that is when our casino gives out the kids check. people should ask what happen to that money? you can get loans for 10grand and percap evry two weeks is 4 grand with anthony and jamiee and my nephew made 3 grand. so alot of money to just say i want a job time . jamiee has a blank stare in her eyes there is no brain in her head. jamiee and anthony both were just babysitters. my mom is the one who took care of him. so understand carnel did not suffer his whole just about three weeks.
he whole time we was looking for carnel she was high on drugs. and i dont think jaimee can read. and my sister doesnt care about the lost of her son. she cried for a second and then it was on with her life. jamiee never took care of carnel. the only reason jamiee had carnel was because she and our mom got into a fight and she took him back. that was her way to hurt my mom.
we were in the same house with him.
i went looking and my little girl was there and we had no clue that anthony was a killer. jamiee did not ask him anything. it was almost like she knew deep down. and i can never love my sister. she is dead to me like carnell. why dont you go see her and talk to her. she is mad right now because my mom want to burn that house down. she is ready to move back into the home were her son was murder. she will sleep in that devil house with no care at all. jamiee lost her soul and what it is to be a human along time ago. she was also mad when my mom tossed anthony devil pitcure to the ground. i seen more anger for that piture that anthony made then i did for her own son.
that lets me know that anthony set this up before hand. because I found hair that night. he was like no , no, no, it cant be carnels I shaved his head. it was almost like he was proud or somthing like he knew.
I mean we found picture he made of demons and skulls very sick! hung up next to my dad who also died in that house. I'm still sick that my sister got mad when my mom tossed to the ground. she said it the point! like don't come in my house and disrespect my stuff. I'm like jamiee this kid killed your son and worried about his pictures he made?
at the moment anthony is being charged with only carrys a term of five years or a 200 thousand dollar fine. i believe it will change . i think this is just to keep him in there for now.
i feel this was a plan murder. from the fact jaimee just got a job and was very strange with percap alone... my nephew ,anthony and jaimee made about 7 grand a month without a job.
plus carnel had a shaved head and never liked his hair to be touched. so sick! this kid was sitting on the porch and no one thought anything of it until this. he did not care even was sleeping in the house with all them cops around.
weeks before hand he killed a cat in the bathroom. someone gave a statement to police that was also staying there who seen it. and I also seen with my own eyes dead animals in a fire pit at the house of where carnel came up missing at. I have heard two storys that day about who was passing by.
Rest In Peace Carnel.'
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According to a post on one of the FB pages this is Jaimee's Brother' FB page. Some of the comments made by George Lucas (claims to be the brother) are interesting.
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George Lucas my name is tommy chamberlain..... i dont have a fb so my buddy let me have his. ive been bringing the pain since then. i see youre a bennett , are you from our tribe? and alot of you have been helping and i for that. my hurt and anger is only for anthony and jamiee and no one else.
July 1 at 4:41pm · Like · 2

BAY CITY, MI — For the second time in three weeks, Anthony M. Bennett has been charged in federal court with assaulting Carnel Chamberlain, an Isabella County 4-year-old who went missing in Bennett’s care and was later found dead.
Bennett, his hair slicked back with gel and clad in orange from his neck to his feet, appeared before U.S. District Magistrate Charles E. Binder this afternoon for arraignment on a charge of assaulting a person younger than 16 causing substantial bodily injury. The charge is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Binder on June 29 arraigned the 20-year-old Bennett on a criminal complaint of the same charge. Due to a federal grand jury having indicted Bennett with the count on Wednesday, he had to once again be arraigned on the same count.
Bennett, standing beside attorney Anthony Chambers, only spoke to answer the magistrate’s yes-or-no questions. At Chambers’ request, Binder entered a not guilty plea on Bennett’s behalf.
Bennett was dating and living with Carnel’s mother, 21-year-old Jaimee Chamberlain, on June 21 while the boy’s mother was at work. When she returned to her home on the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Reservation, the boy was nowhere to be found.
Following a week-long search involving numerous police agencies, authorities on June 28 found charred remains believed to be Carnel’s beneath the porch of his family home, according to family spokesman Kevin Chamberlain. The FBI is handling the investigation and has yet to publicly state that Carnel is dead, though a memorial was held for him Sunday at the Soaring Eagle Casino Concert Hall in Mount Pleasant.

Bennett was arrested the day of the grisly discovery, but is not facing charges in connection with Carnel’s disappearance or death. His charge stems from incidents that occurred in May and June involving him allegedly punching, choking and dragging Carnel, abuse the boy’s mother said she witnessed.
Bennett, who has had seven previous run-ins with the law since he turned 17, is being held without bond. His next court date is pending.
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An Isabella County man jailed on charges of abusing a Mt. Pleasant boy who was found dead under the porch at his mother’s home in June is in more trouble with the law.
Anthony Bennett, who has been indicted in U.S. District Court in Bay City on abuse charges against Carnel Chamberlain, was ordered Thursday to stand trial for assaulting a corrections officer in the Bay County Jail. Bennett, 20, has been in jail since his arrest June 29 on suspicion of child abuse. He was ordered by 74th District Judge Mark Janer on Thursday to stand trial on two counts of assault of a prison employee; two counts of resisting and obstructing police; and one count of malicious destruction of a building between $200 and $1,000, according to court records. Bennett, who has not been charged in federal court in 4-year-old Carnel’s death, is accused of being in a dispute with a fellow inmate at the Bay County Jail Aug. 24, which resulted in him allegedly swinging at a corrections officer, knocking him down and punching him in the face and back, according to the Associated Press. No circuit court arraignment date for Bennett has been set for the new charges, according to court records. Bennett had been arraigned in district court on the new charges Sept. 6, according to court records. A federal grand jury in Bay City handed down an indictment against Bennett for child abuse in July. Bennett was living in a home on Tomah Road in Chippewa Township, on the Isabella Reservation, when Carnel went missing in June. He is being charged in U.S. District Court in Bay City because federal court has jurisdiction over Native Americans in Indian Country. Bennett is alleged to have beaten Carnel, causing bruising and swelling on his face, and a cut inside the boy’s lip sometime in late May or early June when Carnel’s mother, Jaimee Chamberlain, was at work, according to court records. While Bennett has not been charged with killing the boy, the abuse charge could be a preliminary move to keep him in custody until he can be indicted on more serious charges. Carnel’s June 22 disappearance sparked a massive search effort involving hundreds of volunteers, police, firefighters, and others fanning out from the Tomah Road home. Michigan State Police Crime Lab technicians and FBI agents converged on the property June 29, searching for Carnel. Relatives of the boy announced that authorities had found his remains during a June 28 vigil at the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Operations Center that was originally intended to be a show of support for Carnel and efforts to find the boy.
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This is one sick, demented person w/major anger issues and that's an understatement!!

BAY CITY, MI — Anthony M. Bennett, the Mount Pleasant man charged with abusing 4-year-old Carnel Chamberlain a month before his remains were discovered, has state and federal trials before him, but the question is which will happen first.

In federal court, the 20-year-old Bennett is to go to trial on Nov. 27 on a charge of assault resulting in substantial bodily injury to a child younger than 16, a five-year felony. On the state level, Bennett is scheduled to face a trial in Bay County Circuit Court on the same day on two counts each of assaulting a prison employee and assaulting, resisting or obstructing police and one count of malicious destruction of property between $200 and $1,000.

“I would imagine the federal case would proceed first,” said Bay County Prosecutor Kurt C. Asbury.

Federal prosecutors allege Bennett in May and June choked, punched and dragged Carnel, the son of Bennett’s 21-year-old girlfriend, Jaimee Chamberlain. Bennett was living with the mother and son at the time.

Authorities have also said Bennett was baby-sitting Carnel when the boy disappeared on June 22. After a week of searching, authorities on June 28 discovered charred remains of a child beneath the porch of the Bennett-Chamberlain home in Mount Pleasant.

The FBI is handling the investigation into Carnel’s disappearance and has not confirmed the recovered remains are the boy’s. The Chamberlain family has said the body was Carnel’s, however.

Authorities arrested Bennett the day they made their grisly discovery. Bennett has not been charged in connection with the child’s death.

While housed at the Bay County Jail, Bennett on the morning of Aug. 24 was reportedly arguing with another inmate. When a corrections officer attempted to quell the dispute, Bennett swung around and punched him three times, court records show.

The other inmate came to the officer’s aid in pulling Bennett away. When the officer regained his footing, he locked Bennett in a cell, but the unruly inmate then proceeded to kick a glass window, court records show.

An extraction team was called in to remove Bennett from the cell and place him in a different part of the jail. When they opened the cell door, Bennett had fresh superficial cuts on his arms, though no weapon was recovered, court records show.

U.S. District Judge Thomas L. Ludington is to preside over Bennett’s federal trial, while Circuit Judge Joseph K. Sheeran is to preside over his local trial.
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I cannot understand why he has not been charged in little Carnel's death!

BAY CITY, MI — Anthony Michael Bennett was indicted by a federal grand jury in Bay City for the first degree murder of a child on the Isabella Reservation, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced on Nov. 7.

The seven-count superseding indictment charges, among other things, that on June 21, 2012, Bennett, a member of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, committed the premeditated murder of a child, identified in the indictment only as C.C.

Officials were not immediately available to clarify the child's identity.

Bennett is believed to have been watching 4-year-old Carnel Chamberlain when the boy went missing and was later found dead in June. He had been previousy charged with assault of the child.

Bennett is alleged to have killed the child during the perpetration of child abuse and as a part of a pattern or practice of assaults against a minor, according to the indictment.

Bennett also committed additional assaults against the child, according to the indictment, assaulted another individual with a baseball bat, recklessly caused the death or disfigurement of an animal and attempted to prevent others from communicating information related to the commission of a federal offense to law enforcement.

"We are committed to prosecuting violent crimes against vulnerable victims wherever they occur, including in tribal communities," U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade said. "This indictment is the result of extraordinary cooperation and diligence by federal, state and tribal law enforcement agencies."

Special Agent in Charge Robert D. Foley, III of the Federal Bureau of Investigation joined McQuade in the announcement.

"Violent crimes against children can not be tolerated and those who commit them will face severe consequences for these crimes," Foley said. "Together with tribal, state and federal law enforcement partners, the FBI is committed to stopping these criminal acts."

If convicted of first degree murder, Bennett faces a mandatory term of life imprisonment.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Each defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case has been investigated by special agents of the FBI, officers of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police Department, the Isabella County Sheriff's Department and the Michigan State Police. The case is being prosecuted by the Bay City branch of the United States Attorney's Office.
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MOUNT PLEASANT, MI — In the past several hours since the news that Anthony Michael Bennett was indicted on charges of the premeditated killing of a child, many emotions have returned for the family of 4-year-old Carnel Chamberlain.

Chamberlain was found dead on June 28 at a home in Mount Pleasant where he lived with his mother, Jaimee Chamberlain, and her boyfriend, Bennett.

An indictment released today charging Bennett with premeditated murder only names the child as "C.C." Officials could not confirm the identity of the child.

Bennett has already been charged in the assault of Carnel Chamberlain and has been awaiting a November court date. Witnesses have said Bennett was watching Carnel Chamberlain at the time of his disappearance.

Kevin Chamberlain, spokesman for members of the Chamberlain family, said the family found about it from a media text message alert on the afternoon of Nov. 7, the same day the charges were announced.

"We were a little bit shocked, but cautiously hopeful," Chamberlain said.

"We're relieved that the charges were brought, but we also realize that this is probably going to get uglier before it gets better. We'll have to delve into the case deeper and hear the specifics of the case."

Officials have not released information about Carnel Chamberlain's cause of death, but have confirmed that his body was found badly burned underneath the porch of the home.

Kevin Chamberlain said the family is unsure if charges will be brought against Carnel's mother, Jaimee Chamberlain.

"As a family, we still have a long road," Chamberlain said.

Months ago, Chamberlain said he and other members of the Chamberlain family "can not condone the actions" of Jaimee Chamberlain or Bennett.

Kevin Chamberlain said he has not spoken with Jaimee Chamberlain lately.

"I assume she's laying low," he said.

With news of the charges, the family is trying not to let the vindictiveness consume them.

"We don't want to be consumed with hate or looking for vengeance " Kevin Chamberlain said. "It's an easy thing to do, but it's a dangerous and unhealthy road to go down as well."

The family is now focusing on plans to tear down the house on Tomah and creating a memorial in the spot where Carnel Chamberlain's body was found.

They had made some progress toward creating the memorial site, receiving word from investigators to proceed with plans, Kevin Chamberlain said, until the FBI notified them about a week ago that their access to the site would be restricted longer.

The tribal council and tribal housing department are on board with the idea for a memorial at the home, Kevin Chamberlain said, which is adjacent to land his grandfather lived on and the family has shared throughout their lives.

"A fenced in memorial, garden or orchard, it's yet to be determined," Kevin Chamberlain said.

It will serve as a "forever sad reminder" about what happened to Carnel Chamberlain and how it has affected the community.
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A federal grand jury on Wednesday indicted the man long suspected of killing 4-year-old Carnel Chamberlain in June.

Already facing abuse charges against the boy, Anthony Michael Bennett, 20, is charged in U.S. District Court in Bay City with first-degree murder.

A seven-count superseding indictment charges Bennett, who is accused of killing Carnel at his mother’s Tomah Road home on the Isabella Reservation, with killing Carnel while abusing him on June 21, according to U.S. Attorney spokeswoman Gina Balaya.

While the indictment refers to the 4-year-old victim only as “C.C.,” Bennett has already been jailed awaiting trial for abusing the boy.

In addition to allegedly killing Carnel “during the perpetration of child abuse as part of a pattern or practice of assaults against a minor,” Bennett, who also faces state charges relating to an assault in the Bay County Jail, is accused of additional assaults against the boy, assaulting another person with a baseball bat, recklessly causing death or disfigurement of an animal and attempting to prevent others from providing information related to the murder to law enforcement.

“We’re not surprised,” defense attorney Anthony Chambers told the Associated Press. “We’ll go forward and defend the case.”

United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade made the announcement Wednesday, saying that her office is committed to prosecuting violent crimes against victims “wherever they occur, including in tribal communities.”

“This indictment is the result of extraordinary cooperation and diligence by federal, state and tribal law enforcement agencies,” McQuade said.

If convicted, Bennett faces a mandatory term of life.

“The Tribal Community has waited for some time for this to occur and now we can begin our journey toward justice,” Tribal Council member Louanna Bruner said in a press release.

Bennett’s indictment shocked family spokesman Kevin Chamberlain “in a good way.”

Kevin had heard rumors of murder charges coming, but said he was cautiously optimistic and that the family might be able to have closure.

Not having had time to contact other family members Wednesday, Kevin said he is confident that they are relieved about the development.

“At least the next phase can begin,” he said. “It’s what we’ve been waiting for since this all happened.”

Carnel’s death certificate was filed at the Isabella County Clerk’s office Oct. 17, with the cause and manner of death listed as pending.

Carnel’s disappearance June 22 prompted a massive search effort involving hundreds of volunteers, police, firefighters and others fanning out from his mother’s Tomah Road home.

Searches for Carnel, the son of Jaimee Chamberlain, continued, at times by helicopter and horseback, for a week.

Carnel’s badly burned body was found under the porch of the Tomah Road home, a week after the boy was reported missing.

Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police turned the case over to the FBI, and when evidence was found, technicians from the Michigan State Police Crime Lab combed the property using portable floodlights at night, the same time as a vigil for Carnel was under way at the Tribal Operations Center at Leaton and Broadway roads.

Bennett has several previous convictions, both as a juvenile and an adult.

He spent time at a secure detention facility in Midland for assaulting a child and for stabbing his sister, according to testimony from the Michigan Department of Human Services in probate court.

Before he turned 18, Bennett was convicted in Isabella County Trial Court with larceny, and had been placed in in-home detention, the Muskegon Youth Home and to the non-secure detention center in Isabella County, according to court records.

Bennett has also been convicted of violating terms of probation, assault and battery, malicious destruction of property, family violence and other offenses.
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Jaimee Chamberlain (center) hold a candle and stands with friends and family during a vigil to remember her 4-year-old son Carnel, whose body was found after a week of searching for the missing boy.

Photos of 4-year-old Carnel Chamberlain, from the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, hang at the tribal operations building Friday, June 22, 2012.

Bennett also committed additional assaults against the child, according to the indictment, assaulted another individual with a baseball bat, recklessly caused the death or disfigurement of an animal and attempted to prevent others from communicating information related to the commission of a federal offense to law enforcement.

Kevin Chamberlain said the family is unsure if charges will be brought against Carnel's mother, Jaimee Chamberlain.

"As a family, we still have a long road," Chamberlain said.

Months ago, Chamberlain said he and other members of the Chamberlain family "can not condone the actions" of Jaimee Chamberlain or Bennett.

Kevin Chamberlain said he has not spoken with Jaimee Chamberlain lately.

"I assume she's laying low," he said.

I think she SHOULD be charged! In fact, I think ANY parent should be charged if they KNOWINGLY leave their child with a KNOWN convicted felon or anyone who has a record of any type of DV or injury to others, period.

Especially if she had any knowledge of the above description of how that POS beat her son!!!!!

And, she HAD knowledge!!!!!

She should be charged. That poor little boy had no chance.

ZERO!! So damned sad!

MOUNT PLEASANT, MI — Michele Gutierrez, 42, is moving back to Mount Pleasant to be closer to her son.

Though Anthony Bennett has spent most of his adult life away from her, his mother said she plans to be there when Bennett stands before a judge and jury, charged with the death of 4-year-old Carnel Chamberlain.

Chamberlain's body was found in June under the porch of a home where he lived with his mother, Jaimee Chamberlain, and her boyfriend, Bennett.

Investigators have said Bennett was watching Chamberlain at the time of his disappearance.

Gutierrez, who lost custody of Bennett and her other three children to protective services about 12 years ago, said she is moving back to Mount Pleasant this week to support her son.

He was indicted by a federal grand jury on Nov. 7 on charges of first-degree murder, assault of a child causing substantial bodily injury and assault of a child, identified only as "C.C." in the indictment, related to the June 2012 death.

Bennett is charged with assaulting Jaimee Chamberlain, his former girlfriend and the mother of Carnel Chamberlain, with a baseball bat in June 2012. He also faces one count of animal cruelty from a June 2012 incident.

In addition, Bennett faces two counts of witness tampering, charged with "intimidating, threatening or corruptly persuading" his sister, Diamintina Shaffer, and another man to prevent reporting a federal offense to law enforcement in March 2012.

A not guilty plea was entered on Bennett's behalf in U.S. District Court in Bay City on Wednesday. His next court date was set for Tuesday, Nov. 27.

Gutierrez has corresponded with Bennett over the past months through letters sent back and forth from her home in Ohio to the Bay County Jail, where Bennett is being held.

"I just support Anthony because he's my son, and I love him a lot. I've spent many sleepless nights asking, 'Why?'" - Michele Gutierrez
Bennett has sent four letters to Gutierrez, she said, written in pen on the front and back of several sheets of paper. His handwriting is hard to read and the letters skip lines at times, she said.

"I think he's going back to a little child," Gutierrez said after reading a letter from Bennett sent to her about a week ago. "He wrote me a page of what he likes and he wants me to write him what things I like."

On the list Bennett wrote boxing, pizza, and his favorite colors, blue and black, Gutierrez said.

"Basic things," she said. "It worries me, it really does."

She is frightened he might hurt himself.

Bennett writes that he loves her and asks her to write back, Gutierrez said.

Bennett has also communicated with his sister, Diamintina, through letters, writing to her that he is innocent, Gutierrez said.

Gutierrez said she doesn't think Bennett is completely innocent, because she believes he was watching Chamberlain at the time of the child's disappearance, but she also thinks the boy's mother should be held partly responsible.

Gutierrez said she is moving back to Mount Pleasant to show her support for her son and to attend his trial. She is also coming to the area to take care of her mother.

Gutierrez said she is not excited to move back to Mount Pleasant.

"I feel like everybody will know me," she said.

Gutierrez lost her four children to protective services after a fight between Bennett and his sister in 2000 that led to a child protective services investigation. Gutierrez said she feels guilty for the mistakes made while raising her children and wishes now that she would have provided more structure and discipline.

"I had such high expectations for Anthony to be a better person," Gutierrez said, noting Bennett said he wanted to be a police officer when he was young.

"All I wish is forgiveness from my children so we can go on for a new day."

After several rounds of publishing and un-publishing a Facebook page dedicated to her son, Gutierrez again published the page Oct. 31.

The page has drawn criticism, Gutierrez said, though a few commenters seem to understand her position of supporting her son.

"This is my way of healing," she said. "I need to do it."

She will continue to write letters and stand by as Bennett faces the federal charges that could put him behind bars for life. She said she wants the truth to come out about what happened to Carnel Chamberlain.

"I just support Anthony because he's my son, and I love him a lot," she said. "I've spent many sleepless nights asking, 'Why?'"
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Anthony Bennett with his mother, Michele Gutierrez. Bennett is charged in the killing of 4-year-old Carnel Chamberlain.

Anthony Bennett, right, with his sister, Diamintina Shaffer

Jaimee Chamberlain, the mother of 4-year-old Carnel who was murdered in June, is in the Emmet County Jail accused of selling cocaine, heroin and marijuana to an undercover police officers.

Chamberlain was arrested for selling drugs within 1,000 feet of a school to officers with the Petoskey Department of Public Safety, said Emmet County Prosecutor James R. Linderman.

Chamberlain was at the center of a search last July for her missing son Carnel, who disappeared while under the care of her then-boyfriend Anthony Bennett. Efforts to locate Carnel engrossed the community for a week as volunteers and local, state and federal officials searched homes, yards, woods, fields and ponds until his body was found under the house he shared with his mother and Bennett.

Chamberlain was arraigned Monday before Emmett County District Judge James N. Erhart on three felony charges. She is jailed in lieu of posting a $75,000 cash bond.

Charges include: Possession of under 50 grams of cocaine with intent to deliver, punishable by two to 40 years in prison and a $75,000 fine; possession of under 50 grams of heroin, which carries the same penalties; and possession of marijuana, punishable by up to four years and a $20,000 fine.

Chamberlain faces enhanced charges and possible sentences because the alleged controlled buy took place within 1,000 feet of a school, although Linderman said it was not on school property and no students were involved.


Chamberlain, 21, of 7340 E. Tomah Road, Mt. Pleasant, faces a pre-trial conference Dec. 31 and a preliminary exam in front of Judge Erhart on Jan. 4.

Jaimee Chamberlain was the focus of a community’s outpouring of concern and then grief last summer as volunteers, police, search dogs and pilots searched areas on the Isabella Reservation for young Carnel.

But much of the support waned after Carnel’s body was found and federal court documents revealed that she knew of repeated beatings and abuse inflicted on Carnel by Bennett.

Chamberlain has not been charged in relation to Carnel’s care, abuse or death.

Bennett is in federal custody accused of beating, abusing, dismembering, burning and burying the boy’s body.

He faces an April trial in Bay City on charges of first degree murder, felonious assault and assaulting a child, assault with a dangerous weapon, witness tampering and animal cruelty.
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What do you want to bet this girl is the next Misty Croslin? Sounds like LE couldn't get her on abuse/murder charges so they set her up. Good, put her in prison and throw the key away. MOO.

Unreal!!!

PETOSKEY, MI — The mother of 4-year-old Carnel Chamberlain, the boy found dead in June after a week-long search in Mount Pleasant, has avoided prison time with a plea agreement.

Jaimee Chamberlain, 21, appeared in Emmet County District Court on Monday, Dec. 31, and pleaded guilty to possessing marijuana, court officials said.

The charge, a misdemeanor, carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail. In exchange for the plea, prosecutors will drop the three felonies with which she was charged last month: possessing with intent to deliver less than 50 grams of cocaine on or near school property, possessing with intent to deliver less than 50 grams of heroin on or near school property, and possessing with intent to deliver marijuana.

The first two charges carry minimum sentences of two years in prison.

Emmet County Prosecutor James Linderman has said Chamberlain was charged in connection with a “controlled buy” executed by the Petoskey Public Safety Department. Linderman said Petoskey police officers purchased the drugs from Chamberlain in a parking lot near a 7-Eleven. The parking lot was within 1,000 feet of a school, Linderman said.

MLive could not immediately reaching Linderman for comment Wednesday.

After accepting the plea agreement, Chamberlain was released on a $1,000 personal recognizance bond. A sentencing date was not yet set.

Chamberlain on June 21 left her home on East Tomah in Mount Pleasant to go to work and left her son, Carnel, at the home with her boyfriend, Anthony M. Bennett, police have said. That day was the last day Carnel Chamberlain was seen alive, and after a week of searching, police found his badly burned body underneath the porch of the home.

Federal prosecutors in July charged Bennett with assaulting Carnel Chamberlain. Last month, Bennett was indicted on a charge of first-degree murder, as well as six other counts, in the death of a child with the initials of "C.C."
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Some VERY interesting comments at the link!

Well shut my mouth! I was sure we had another 'Misty Croslin' here with the drug charges. I don't understand how LE could cut a deal with this POS Mother! She's getting away with everything!!!! JMOO.

It's so unfair!! She can sell these drugs (the h and coke in particular) and literally get away w/it. Speechless!!

Yup!

BAY CITY, MI — The plea hearing for a Mount Pleasant man charged federally with the brutal killing of a 4-year-old boy has been adjourned.

Anthony M. Bennett, 21, was to appear in U.S. District Magistrate Judge Charles E. Binder's Bay City courtroom on Thursday, March 21 for a plea cutoff hearing. Both the prosecution and defense agreed to the adjournment, though the reason for the move was not immediately clear.

A new date has yet to be scheduled.

A few family members of Bennett's alleged victim, Carnel Chamberlain, gathered in the courthouse and appeared disappointed the hearing was called off. Asked by an MLive reporter if she would rather Bennett plead or face trial, Carnel's grandmother said she just wanted her grandson back.

Bennett, a member of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, is charged with first-degree murder, assault resulting in substantial bodily injury, assault within special maritime or territorial jurisdiction, assault with a dangerous weapon, animal cruelty and two counts of tampering with a witness, victim or informant.

The hearing does not mean Bennett is entering a guilty or contest plea, just that it is the last possible day for him to enter such a plea before the case goes to trial. MLive has been unable to contact federal prosecutors or defense attorney Anthony T. Chambers to determine the likelihood of Bennett entering a plea or if a plea offer has been made.

Bennett is still scheduled for trial before U.S. District Judge Thomas L. Ludington on April 23.

Investigators have said Bennett on June 21 was baby-sitting Carnel, the son of his live-in girlfriend Jamiee Chamberlain. The child disappeared that day and authorities on June 28 discovered his charred remains under the porch of his family home at 7340 E. Tomah Road in Mount Pleasant.

The house was split in half and removed from the property in January.

Authorities arrested Bennett the day they found the boy’s body. He was initially charged with assault resulting in substantial bodily injury to a child younger than 16. He was not indicted on the murder charge until November.

Court records do not name Carnel as Bennett’s alleged victim, only referring to the child as “C.C.”

Court records also indicate that Jaimee Chamberlain told investigators she witnessed Bennett choke, punch and drag her son on at least two occasions in May and June 2012.

The charge of assault with a dangerous weapon that Bennett faces stems from him attacking his girlfriend with a baseball bat, court records show.

Bennett is also charged in Bay County Circuit Court with two counts each of assaulting a prison employee and assaulting, resisting or obstructing police and one count of malicious destruction of a building between $200 and $1,000. While housed at the Bay County Jail, Bennett on the morning of Aug. 24 was reportedly arguing with another inmate. When a corrections officer attempted to quell the dispute, Bennett swung around and punched him three times, court records show.

The other inmate came to the officer’s aid in pulling Bennett away. When the officer regained his footing, he locked Bennett in a cell, but the unruly inmate then proceeded to kick a glass window, court records show.

An extraction team was called in to remove Bennett from the cell and place him in a different part of the jail. When they opened the cell door, Bennett had fresh superficial cuts on his arms, though no weapon was recovered, court records show.

Bennett is scheduled to face trial before Circuit Judge Joseph K. Sheeran on April 2, though Bay County Prosecutor Kurt C. Asbury previously said he expects the federal trial to convene first.

If Bennett is convicted of the federal charge of first-degree murder, he could face the death penalty.
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An Isabella County man accused of murdering a 4-year-old boy is headed for trial next month.

Thursday marked the deadline for a plea agreement in U.S. District Court in Bay City for Anthony Michael Bennett, 21, of Chippewa Township.

Bennett is charged with the June 21 first-degree murder of Carnel Chamberlain, whose remains were found under the porch at his mother’s Tomah Road home a week later.

Bennett and Carnel’s mother, Jaimee Chamberlain, shared the home.

Bennett’s trial begins April 23 at 8:30 a.m. in U.S. District Judge Thomas L. Ludington’s Bay City courtroom.

In addition to first-degree murder, Bennett is charged with assault of a child resulting in substantial bodily injury, assault of a child, assault with a dangerous weapon, animal cruelty and two counts of witness tampering.

Bennett was originally indicted by a federal grand jury July 11 for assaulting Carnel, and a superseding indictment charging him killing the boy was handed down in November.

Bennett, who also was charged in Bay County with an assault at the jail, is accused of assaulting Carnel multiple times, assaulting another person with a baseball bat, recklessly causing death or disfigurement of an animal and attempting to prevent others from providing information related to the murder to law enforcement.

Carnel’s death certificate was filed in Isabella County Oct. 17, but the cause and manner of death are still pending, according to the county clerk’s office.

Carnel disappeared June 22, prompting a massive search effort involving hundreds of volunteers, police, firefighters and others fanning our from the Tomah Road home.

Searches for the boy continued, at times by helicopter and horseback, for a week.

Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police turned the case over to the FBI, and when evidence was found, technicians from a state police crime lab combed the property using portable floodlights at night, at the same time a vigil for Carnel was under way at the Tribal Operations Center at Leaton and Broadway roads.

Jaimee Chamberlain was among those at the vigil; there was public outcry for her to be charged in connection with Carnel’s death, but she has so far not faced federal charges.

She did get in trouble with the law in January.

She was charged in Emmet County with selling cocaine, marijuana and heroin to undercover police, but agreed to testify against two co-defendants in the case.

Chamberlain entered a guilty plea in 90th District Court in Petoskey to possession of marijuana Feb. 13 and was sentenced to pay $935 in fines and costs, which are due May 1.

If she does not pay by then, she will face seven days in jail, according to court records.

She was also sentenced to 365 days in jail, with credit for 19 days served and 346 in abeyance, according to court records.

Bennett has several previous convictions, both as a juvenile and adult.

He spent time at a secure detention facility in Midland for assaulting a child and for stabbing his sister.

Before he turned 18, Bennett was convicted in Isabella County of larceny, and had been placed in in-home detention, the Muskegon Youth Home and to the non-secure detention center in Isabella County, according to court records.

He has also been convicted of violating terms of probation, assault and battery, malicious destruction of property and other offenses.
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Can't believe the cause and manner of death are still pending.

I wonder if they are just holding it for the trial??

Hopefully. This mother should be strung up by her toes!!

An Isabella County man facing trial later this month in federal court for the murder of a 4-year-old boy will also be tried in state court on an assault charge.

Anthony Bennett, who is accused of killing Carnel Chamberlain and is scheduled to begin trial in U.S. District Court starting April 23, has been deemed competent to stand trial in Bay County for allegedly assaulting corrections officers.

Bennett has been in the Bay County Jail since a grand jury charged him first with assaulting then with killing Carnel June 21 at the home he shared with the boy’s mother in Chippewa Township.

He was allegedly involved in an altercation in jail and was charged in Bay County with assault, resisting and obstructing police, and malicious destruction of a building.

A Bay County judge ruled Thursday that Bennett, 21, is competent to stand trial on the state charges.
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Have been meaning to comment here. This guy is hands down, an abusive murderer. The mother also needs to be held accountable. Don't know how she can sleep at night. JMOO.

Accused child killer Anthony Michael Bennett is scheduled to be in federal court next week for a status conference after getting a new attorney.

Ann Arbor attorney John A. Shea was appointed to represent Bennett, accused of the June 21 murder of 4-year-old Carnel Chamberlain, following former defense attorney Anthony Chambers disqualifying himself because he was suspended from practicing law in Michigan April 22.

Chambers was suspended by the State Of Michigan Attorney Discipline Board for misappropriating client fees and other ethical violations.

Chambers filed notice with U.S. District Court in Bay City April 22 of his suspension and filed a motion to be replaced.

Judge Thomas L. Ludington granted the motion April 25 and appointed Shea to represent Bennett, according to court records.

Ludington also ordered Chambers to turn over all materials to Shea as soon as possible, according to court records.

Shea, who graduated from the University of Michigan law school, specializes in criminal defense and other areas of law, including matters in federal court.
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BAY CITY, MI — Anthony M. Bennett, the Mount Pleasant man charged with killing his girlfriend's 4-year-old son, now will not stand trial until January.

U.S. District Judge Thomas L. Ludington on Wednesday, May 29, postponed Bennett's trial until Jan. 14 because he recently was appointed a new attorney.

The order to postpone the 21-year-old Bennett's trial comes five weeks after the Michigan Attorney Discipline Board suspended Bennett's then-attorney Anthony T. Chambers' license to practice law for 180 days.

After the suspension, Ludington appointed Ann Arbor attorney John A. Shea to represent Bennett. Court records show that Chambers gave Shea the discovery materials he was provided, but that Shea has not had “the opportunity to review it in depth” prior to May 9, when Shea met with prosecutors and Ludington to discuss the status of the case.

Court records show that Shea received over 1,600 pages of discovery and more than 20 audio or video discs.

“Given the volume of discovery, and (Shea's) recent appearance in this matter, failure to grant the adjournment would deny (Shea) the reasonable time necessary for effective preparation, taking into account the exercise of due diligence,” Ludington wrote.

Both Shea and the prosecution agreed to the postponement.

“The parties believe the continuance serves the ends of justice and outweighs the best interest of the public and the defendant in a speedy trial,” the judge wrote.

Bennett, a member of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, is charged with first-degree murder, assault resulting in substantial bodily injury, assault within special maritime or territorial jurisdiction, assault with a dangerous weapon, animal cruelty, and two counts of tampering with a witness, victim or informant.

Investigators have said Bennett on June 21 was baby-sitting Carnel Chamberlain, the son of his live-in girlfriend Jamiee Chamberlain. The child disappeared that day and authorities on June 28 discovered his charred remains under the porch of his family home at 7340 E. Tomah in Mount Pleasant.

Authorities arrested Bennett the day they found the boy’s body. Prosecutors initially charged him with assault resulting in substantial bodily injury to a child younger than 16. A grand jury indicted him on the murder charge in November.

Bennett remains jailed.
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It really gets to me how many chances Bennett is getting and little Carnel didn't get one!
I still think the Mother should be arrested too! MOO.

I could NOT agree more!!!!

An Ann Arbor attorney representing accused child killer Anthony Bennett has requested that his trial be moved.

John A. Shea filed the motion for a change of venue in U.S. District Court in Bay City Thursday, citing Bennett’s Sixth Amendment right to a fair trial and predicting that a local jury pool would be tainted because of intense media coverage of the death of 4-year-old Carnel Chamberlain.

Shea asked that the trial be moved to the U.S. District Court Southern Division in Detroit.

Carnel died June 21, 2012 at the Chippewa Township home Bennett shared with the boy’s mother, Jaimee Chamberlain.

A trial date in U.S. District Judge Thomas L. Ludington’s Bay City courtroom has not been scheduled; Shea asked for more time after Bennett’s original attorney, Anthony Chambers, was suspended in April for six months by the Michigan Attorney Discipline Board.

In his 16-page motion, Shea said “countless articles” and broadcasts by print and television media has created an “inherently prejudicial” atmosphere.


Shea also said that the initial reports were on finding the missing boy, and that “Mr. Bennett’s arrest on the initial charges of assault on a child caused the media coverage quickly to shift, the focus becoming Mr. Bennett, his alleged history of abusing the boy, and ultimately his hand in alleged foul play causing Carnel Chamberlain’s death.

Shea said the coverage “has been and continues to be exclusively negative, even damning, and pervasive.”

In asking for a change of venue, Shea said Bennett is not likely to get a fair trial in Bay City.

Shea said in the motion that a week after Carnel’s disappearance, his badly burned remains were found buried under the porch at the Tomah Road home, and police the same day filed a federal complaint against Bennett for “alleged assaults on Carnel Chamberlain earlier that month, but notably, not for his death.”

Bennett was indicted on the original charges in July 2012, and in November, the grand jury issued a superseding indictment, charging Bennett with the murder of Carnel.

“Widespread” media reports came from Booth newspapers, the CBS affiliate in Bay City and Saginaw, the ABC affiliate in Flint, 9&10 News, the NBC affiliate in Saginaw and Flint, The Morning Sun and the Big Rapids Daily News, which is not a print product but an online news source affiliated with WYBR-FM in Big Rapids.

Media sources have reported on Carnel’s death, the investigation and “the pending proceedings from their beginning to the present, and on everything from pretrials and scheduling orders to the recent substitution of defense counsel,” Shea said in the motion.

Shea also said that media coverage went national, including a spot on “NewsHour with Nancy Grace” on CNN.

Some blogs have contained comments advocating the death penalty for Bennett, Shea said.

Media coverage also included reports of Bennett’s criminal history, which is not admissible in court, Shea said in the motion.

News articles described Bennett as “unconcerned” and “uncooperative with law enforcement,” Shea said.

“Perhaps most troubling, various sources reported that he refused to take a polygraph, while it was reported that Jaimee Chamberlain took and passed two such tests,” Shea said in the motion.

“Beyond the case, Mr. Bennett has become the poster child for community concerns about perpetrators of child abuse,” Shea said.

Gina Balaya, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney’s office, said prosecutors have no comment and will address the motion in court.
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