Community gathers to remember 2-year-old Novi boy police say was killed by mother

Boy found dead, mother injured

NOVI, Mich. – A community gathered Tuesday to remember a 2-year-old boy police say was killed by his mother inside their Novi home last week.

“We’re really shocked receiving the news and I just don’t know what to say,” Shiloh Lee said.

Lee said her child often had playmates with Mason and his mother, Chunhui Shi.

Shi is recovering from injuries at a hospital. Police said she attacked the toddler with a kitchen knife, then turned the knife on herself at the home on Sevilla Circle. When the woman’s 35-year-old husband, who works as a software engineer at an automotive technology company, returned from work at 5:23 p.m. Friday he found his son’s body and wife in a first floor bedroom. He called 911.

“She loved Mason so much. I just don’t understand,” Lee said.

MORE: Novi woman charged with premeditated murder after toddler found killed at home

Investigators say the family is from China and moved to Michigan in 2014. The mother has suffered from a history of mental illness.

Shi faces charges including felony murder, premeditated first-degree murder and first-degree child abuse. The mother underwent surgery and remains under police guard at the hospital. A probable cause conference is scheduled for Jan. 15.

Police said Shi will be transported to the Oakland County Jail once she is discharged from the hospital. She is ordered to be held without bond.

READ: Neighbor says house where woman killed son became ‘cold’ before alleged attack

Sources tell Local 4 that the mother returned to China in September to be treated for mental health issues. Just this past Thursday, she was admitted to a local mental health facility, but she was later released. Police say there was apparently no concern that the child could be in danger.


About the Authors:

Priya joined WDIV-Local 4 in 2013 as a reporter and fill-in anchor. Education: B.A. in Communications/Post Grad in Advanced Journalism

Local 4 Defender Shawn Ley is an Emmy award-winning journalist who has been with Local 4 News for more than a decade.