Lapeer County, Michigan – Elizabeth Dubois, 43, will spend the rest of her life in prison after being sentenced on Monday, March 23, 2026, to life without the possibility of parole for the 2019 death of her son, Austin Raymond. The case, which has drawn attention to the complexities of medical neglect and parental rights, culminated in a jury’s conviction in January for felony murder. Raymond, 19, died after a prolonged battle with chordoma, a rare but often treatable form of bone cancer, a battle his mother allegedly obstructed at every turn.
Lapeer County Circuit Court Judge Michael Nolan delivered the mandatory life sentence, alongside a concurrent 15 to 25-year term for first-degree child abuse. The courtroom heard harrowing testimony detailing how Dubois repeatedly dismissed her son’s deteriorating health, refusing to seek timely medical attention despite warnings from family members, school officials, and Child Protective Services (CPS). The prosecution argued that Dubois’ deliberate inaction directly led to Austin’s preventable death, transforming a potentially manageable illness into a fatal one.
The case hinged on establishing a direct link between Dubois’ neglect and Austin’s death, a legal hurdle overcome through a landmark ruling by the Michigan Supreme Court. This ruling allowed prosecutors to pursue the felony murder charge, arguing that the underlying felony of child abuse directly caused Raymond’s death. The conviction sets a precedent for prosecuting cases of severe medical neglect, signaling a potentially stricter approach to parental responsibility in safeguarding children’s health.
Austin Raymond’s ordeal began in July 2016, when he first noticed a lump on his neck. Over the following three years, his condition steadily worsened. By November 2016, he was unable to eat solid foods and struggled to speak. A CPS investigation was launched later that year after Austin’s weight plummeted to 86 pounds, raising serious concerns about his well-being. However, Dubois consistently downplayed his symptoms and resisted medical intervention. It wasn’t until January 2017, when relatives intervened and took Austin to a hospital, that he received a diagnosis of chordoma.
The Timeline of Neglect: From Initial Symptoms to Fatal Outcome
Despite the diagnosis, Dubois reportedly continued to withhold consent for necessary surgeries and follow-up care. According to testimony presented at trial, she offered a series of excuses, ranging from a lack of transportation to financial constraints, to justify her refusal to seek treatment. The prosecution presented evidence suggesting that Dubois prioritized her own beliefs over her son’s medical needs, even as his condition became visibly critical. The timeline of Austin’s decline is a stark illustration of the consequences of prolonged medical neglect:
- July 2016: Austin first notices a lump on his neck.
- November 2016: Austin experiences difficulty eating and speaking; CPS investigation begins.
- January 2017: Austin is diagnosed with chordoma after being taken to a hospital by relatives.
- 2017-2019: Dubois allegedly obstructs recommended medical treatments.
- May 20, 2019: Austin Raymond dies at home, weighing just 83 pounds.
Medical Experts Testify to Treatability of Austin’s Cancer
During the seven-day trial, medical experts from the University of Michigan Hospital testified that Austin’s chordoma, while rare, had a significantly high survival rate if detected and treated early. Experts estimated that survival rates for chordoma are approximately 70-80% with timely intervention. The American Cancer Society provides further information on chordoma survival rates. They emphasized that Dubois’ delays in seeking treatment allowed the tumor to grow to an untreatable size, effectively transforming a potentially manageable illness into a terminal one. This testimony was crucial in establishing the causal link between Dubois’ actions and her son’s death.
The Legal Battle and Felony Murder Conviction
The prosecution successfully argued that Dubois acted with “malice” by recklessly disregarding her son’s life, demonstrating a conscious indifference to his well-being. The felony murder charge, initially contested by the defense, was ultimately allowed to proceed following the Michigan Supreme Court’s ruling. This ruling affirmed that a parent’s deliberate failure to provide necessary medical care, resulting in a child’s death, could constitute the underlying felony for a murder conviction. Despite requesting that Judge Nolan set aside the jury’s verdict, the request was denied, with the judge citing the “egregious” nature of the neglect as justification for upholding the conviction.
The Devastating Impact of Prolonged Neglect
The physical toll of Austin’s illness was starkly evident in the evidence presented at trial. By the time of his death in May 2019, the 19-year-old weighed a mere 83 pounds. His death was attributed to nasopharyngeal chordoma and dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), both complications exacerbated by severe malnutrition. The image of Austin’s frail condition served as a powerful reminder of the devastating consequences of medical neglect and the importance of parental responsibility in ensuring a child’s health and well-being.
The Precedent Set by the Michigan Supreme Court Ruling
The case’s legal journey was marked by a significant appeal to the Michigan Supreme Court. Initially, lower courts had denied the prosecution’s attempt to add the felony murder charge. However, the Supreme Court ultimately ruled that there was sufficient probable cause to proceed with the charge, paving the way for the full trial and, Dubois’ conviction. This decision is expected to have a lasting impact on how similar cases of medical neglect are prosecuted in Michigan and potentially beyond, establishing a higher standard of accountability for parents who deny their children necessary medical care.
LIFE IN PRISON — That is the sentence for Elizabeth Dubois, whose teenage son died from cancer allegedly due to delayed care. https://t.co/Iy5tON8Qh9
— ABC12WJRT (@ABC12WJRT) March 23, 2026
Dubois’ sentencing marks the end of a long and painful chapter for the Lapeer County community. While the legal process has concluded, the tragedy serves as a somber reminder of the importance of advocating for the health and well-being of vulnerable individuals. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services offers resources for reporting suspected child abuse and neglect: https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/assistance-programs/child-family-services/child-protective-services.
As of this writing, no further appeals have been filed by Dubois’ legal team. The case is now closed, but the impact of this tragedy will undoubtedly be felt for years to come. The focus now shifts to ensuring that lessons are learned and that systems are in place to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
If you or someone you realize is struggling with grief or loss, resources are available. You can reach the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741, or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.
