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Dave Bondy@davebondy

May 20, 2025

‘They Failed My Son’: Michigan Mother Says CPS, Law Enforcement Ignored Red Flags Before 6-Year-Old’s Murder

Caledonia, Mich. — In an emotional plea before lawmakers, Brandi Morey-Pols shared how she tried in vain to save her 6-year-old son, Rowan, from the man she says was visibly spiraling. Instead, she said, every system designed to protect children — law enforcement, Child Protective Services (CPS), and the courts — failed catastrophically.

Rowan was found murdered in a suspected murder-suicide involving his father, Michael Winchell, in August 2023. Days before Rowan’s 7th birthday, deputies from the Isabella County Sheriff’s Office discovered his lifeless body after repeated pleas from his mother went unanswered for more than two days.

“I experienced a life-altering event nine months ago today,” Morey-Pols told lawmakers. “Since that moment, I have wondered what excuse a mother should accept when her child has been missing for 52 hours.”

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Instead of answers, Morey-Pols said she was met with apathy. “It’s a civil matter,” she recalled being told by multiple deputies. “We’ve done two wellness checks…we can’t do an Amber Alert because it’s a custody matter.” One sheriff even reportedly yelled at a dispatcher, frustrated that she kept calling. “Do you want to talk to my supervisor? Shut up. I’m sure he’s fine,” the mother recalled the deputy saying.

Rowan was not fine.

According to Isabella County investigators and reporting from WWMT and 9&10 News, deputies believe Rowan was killed by his father, who then took his own life. Brandi Morey-Pols said that it wasn’t even Isabella County law enforcement who delivered the news — Kent County sheriffs did.

“They weren’t even the ones that found my son,” she said. “They sent Kent County sheriffs to deliver their bad news.”

‘I Told Them. Over and Over Again.’
Morey-Pols testified that Judge Eric Jaynes, the same judge who signed the original custody order in 2020, denied her emergency motion to get Rowan back even after she presented evidence that the child was still alive. “Why did I need another motion for him to sign when he signed our original order?” she asked. “And he denied it.”

But it wasn’t just the court. According to Morey-Pols, CPS caseworkers dismissed her reports of neglect and abuse. The child’s father, she said, shaved Rowan’s head bald repeatedly — sometimes before family events and milestones — and denied the boy food and access to preschool. Rowan allegedly told his mother he lived off toast and that his father slept all day.

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“He started self-harming,” Morey-Pols said. “He threw his head into a metal table at dinner. He bruised himself at the pool. I was beside myself.”

Still, CPS closed the case, reportedly telling her that there was “nothing there.” One caseworker allegedly told her, “He can take care of his hygiene the way he sees fit on his parenting time.”

Morey-Pols was incredulous. “If he was a little girl getting his head shaved, you’d care,” she remembered saying. “And she closed it anyway.”

A System That ‘Did Nothing’
The mother testified that despite repeated calls to law enforcement, probation officers, CPS, and court referees, no one intervened — even after she warned them that her ex, a convicted felon, had weapons and was abusing prescription drugs.

“He was a felon who hit two cars doing 120 miles per hour and blew a .39. He broke his back and hip and suffered a head injury. After that, he was on Vicodin, Norco, morphine, and fentanyl,” Morey-Pols said.

She believes this was key information that CPS ignored. “I told CPS. I told Foxx (the court referee). I told Isabella County sheriffs. He was on drugs,” she said. “They did nothing.”

When deputies finally responded, the damage was done. Rowan was dead. “They had to cut into the little body I made,” she said, sobbing. “They didn’t even reach out to us. We got the autopsy report from a friend who called in a favor.”

‘No Faith Left’
After the tragedy, Morey-Pols said not a single person from CPS or the courts reached out to her — only sheriff’s deputies on the day of the death. And to this day, Judge Jaynes remains on the bench.

“There should be no wait time for children,” she said. “Eliminate that completely. And bypass the judge.”

She is now pushing for “Rowan’s Act,” a legislative reform package she hopes will force courts, law enforcement, and CPS to take high-conflict custody cases more seriously. Her suggestions include:

Mandatory mental health evaluations for both parents in contested custody cases.

Oversight of prescription drug use, particularly opioids and mood-altering medications.

Mandatory parental communication apps.

Stronger consequences for ignoring signs of emotional abuse.

“There’s not enough emphasis on mental and emotional abuse — but it almost always leads to physical abuse and death,” she warned.

A Voice for Rowan
Brandi Morey-Pols described Rowan as bright and bubbly, someone who needed “mommy’s back tickles to fall asleep” and who loved to name the moles on his body with his mother.

“I only remembered a few,” she said. “But he didn’t know that — he’d always ask, ‘What’s this one’s name?’ And I’d make one up.”

Now, Rowan’s voice is gone. But his mother’s remains.

“I did everything I was supposed to do,” she said. “And they still failed him.”

00:31:43

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Dave Bondy@davebondy

October 24, 2025

BREAKING: Charges Dropped Against Michigan Duck Rescue Founders After DNR Case Collapses

The legal battle between the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Michigan Duck Rescue and Sanctuary has come to an end. with all charges dismissed against the couple who run the operation.

Matthew and Teresa Lyson, founders of the Salem Township sanctuary, had faced six criminal charges each after state officials accused them of keeping and caring for waterfowl without proper permits. This week, the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office dismissed the cases in their entirety, following months of public scrutiny and growing political pressure.

“This is great news,” Lyson told Keeping It Real. “All charges against me and Teresa are 100 percent gone. It’s a done deal, and we get to start new.”

Background of the Case

The Michigan Duck Rescue and Sanctuary has operated for nearly two decades, caring for injured or abandoned ducks, geese, and other waterfowl — many of which suffer from “angel wing,” a deformity often caused by people feeding them improper food. The Lysons say their work ...

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Dave Bondy@davebondy

October 24, 2025

Grocery stores urging people to stop using pennies.

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Dave Bondy@davebondy

September 25, 2025

School board bans clapping....seriously

ALPENA, Mich. — A new rule banning applause and other displays of emotion at Alpena Public Schools board meetings has sparked pushback from community members who say the policy infringes on their free speech rights.

The board recently adopted a policy prohibiting clapping, cheering, booing, or any demonstrations from audience members during meetings. Board President Eric Lawson said the restriction is meant to prevent disruptions and maintain order.

“We’re doing our best to show respect to you all and make sure you have adequate time for your comments,” Lawson said during a recent meeting. “Please show the board a little respect as well.”

Not everyone in attendance agreed. Several residents voiced frustration, including one woman who argued that clapping constitutes symbolic speech protected under the First Amendment.

“Clapping is a universal symbolic action that typically expresses approval,” she said. “Up until one week ago, clapping was a regular occurrence at these ...

00:02:38

Dave Bondy@davebondy

December 05, 2025

BREAKING: The Supreme Court will decide whether President Trump's birthright citizenship order violates the Constitution.

Dave Bondy@davebondy

November 28, 2025

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Dave Bondy@davebondy

November 26, 2025

Breaking News: Two National Guardsmen were shot in downtown DC today. Police say the scene is secure and a suspect is in custody. Avoid the area.

Dave Bondy@davebondy

6 hours ago

News they don't want you to see

Friday December 12, 2025

Michigan Democrats Use Federal Vaccine Shake-Up to Push Sweeping Immunization Laws

LANSING, Mich. — As Washington pulls back on certain childhood vaccines, Michigan Democrats are pushing forward with new state rules, insisting parents need more “guidance” amid federal “confusion.”

The legislation comes as federal health policy shifts under U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whose moves—including rolling back the hepatitis B shot for newborns—have alarmed Michigan health officials. Democratic lawmakers say the state must reinforce its own immunization authority to counter what they describe as “chaos and distrust” coming from Washington.

Most Michigan school buildings fall below the 95% vaccination rate used as the herd-immunity standard, prompting Democrats to require schools and child-care centers to post anonymized immunization data publicly and send reports directly to parents beginning in 2028. Click here to read more.

Push to Ralk nationwide walkie talkies make for great Christmas gifts for anyone. I love mine. Click here to get an extra 10% off for a limited time.

Congress Gives the Military $8 Billion More Than It Asked for

The House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2026, giving the military a record $900.6 billion—more than the $892.6 billion base defense budget that the Trump administration’s Department of War had asked for. The Senate is expected to pass the bill next week, sending it to President Donald Trump’s desk.

The American public, of course, isn’t clamoring for more military spending. A poll conducted by the nonprofit Institute for Global Affairs in October 2025 found that 40 percent of Americans wanted to decrease the military budget, 50 percent wanted to keep it the same, and only 10 percent wanted to increase it. And the military itself isn’t even calling for this much more money, either. Congress’ budget pushes funding for programs that the brass wants to get rid of. Click here to read more.

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BLM Official in Oklahoma City Charged with Wire Fraud and Money Laundering

A federal grand jury in Oklahoma City has charged Tashella Sheri Amore Dickerson with wire fraud and money laundering, U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester announced on Thursday.

“The Department of Justice is committed to unraveling and prosecuting fraud in the Black Lives Matter organization, and this case illustrates how some in the group’s leadership allegedly used donor money to bankroll their own lifestyles,” Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a statement provided exclusively to Breitbart News. “We have zero tolerance for any kind of fraud perpetrated against the American people and will continue bringing fraudsters to justice as cases arise.” Click here to read more.

Texas Accuses ‘Radical’ Doctors Of Using Tax Dollars To Fund Secret Trans Procedures On Teenagers

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has expanded a 2024 lawsuit based on new evidence that accuses two doctors of lying to healthcare providers about prescribing transgender procedures on kids in defiance of state law.

Paxton announced additional allegations on Wednesday against two doctors, May Lau and M. Brett Cooper, over alleged healthcare fraud related to their prescription of transgender drugs to minors. Both Lau and Cooper had prescribed transgender drugs to dozens of kids in violation of state law, Paxton said.

“What these radicals were doing was evil, and I will pursue every available legal tool to stop and punish this cruel child abuse,” Paxton said. “Any fraudulent scheme to steal hardworking Texans’ taxpayer dollars will be stopped and repaid in full. Under my watch, the transgender activists using their positions in the medical field to illegally ‘transition’ children will face the full force of the law.” Click here to read more.

Federal probe launched into alleged fraud in small business contracting program

WASHINGTON (TNND) — For decades, the Small Business Administration has set its sights on helping small businesses succeed in a country often dominated by large corporations.

The Business Development Program was meant “to help experienced small business owners who are socially and economically disadvantaged,” and give them priority access to the largest buyer of goods and services in the country.

The program was expanded by President Joe Biden in the name of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), in which he required at least 15% of federal contracts to be given to such companies. Click here to read more.

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Dave Bondy@davebondy

December 11, 2025

News they don't want you to see

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Dave Bondy@davebondy

December 10, 2025

News they don't want you to see

Wednesday December 10, 2025

ICE warns Illinois is releasing violent criminal illegal aliens despite detainers, risking public safety

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is warning that Illinois officials are releasing violent criminal illegal aliens despite active immigration detainers, a move the agency says is putting the public at risk.

In the letter shared with Fox News Digital, Todd Lyons, ICE’s senior official performing the duties of director, said Illinois has “tens of thousands of criminal illegal aliens” in custody – individuals who, he noted, have committed crimes ranging from murder and rape to child pornography and armed robbery.

Lyons said these offenders “should be swiftly removed from the United States … and not be returned to our streets to wreak havoc on law-abiding citizens.” Click here to read more.

Federal bill aimed at increasing protections for police officers reintroduced in U.S. Senate

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt have both joined the reintroduction of the federal “Back the Blue” Act, which would increase penalties for those who target law enforcement officers, according to a news release from Tuberville’s office.

Tuberville cosponsored this legislation in the 118th Congress in 2023.

“Our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day when they go into the field to protect us,” Tuberville said in the release.

According to data provided by ICE, Illinois has released 1,768 criminal aliens with active detainers since January 2025. ICE said the crimes tied to those offenders include homicides, assaults, burglaries, weapons offenses and sexual-predatory crimes. Click here to read more.

Zohran Mamdani Picks Convicted Armed Robber to Lead Public Safety Transition Team

New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani tapped Mysonne Linen, formerly incarcerated rapper, to lead his City Hall transition team on public safety, according to reports.

Until Freedom, a New York City-based social justice group, annoucned in late November that Linen would lead the group.

“We are proud that Until Freedom leaders have been chosen to serve on Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani’s transition team on committees for public safety and criminal justice respectively,” the post read on Instagram.

Until Freedom describes itself as a nonprofit dedicated to “community activism, education, and rapid response to tragedies resulting from injustice.” Click here to read more.

Australia’s Social Media Ban for Children Takes Effect

Australia has become the first country to ban social media for children under 16, blocking access to platforms including TikTok, Alphabet’s YouTube, and Meta’s Instagram and Facebook from midnight.

Ten of the biggest platforms were ordered to block children from midnight on Wednesday (1300 GMT on Tuesday) or face fines of up to A$49.5 million ($33 million) under the new law, which drew criticism from major technology companies and free speech advocates, but was welcomed by parents and child advocates.

The ban is being closely watched by other countries considering similar aged based measures amid growing concerns about the impact of social media on childrne’s health and safety. Click here to read more.

The Free Market Can Connect Rural America Faster Than the Government

Elon Musk’s satellite internet service, Starlink, announced a new milestone November: 8 million users worldwide, up from its previous high-water mark of 7 million in August. Many of these users would otherwise have no connection at all. For decades, reliable internet service has been out of reach for too many, with traditional fiber-optic broadband rollout slow, challenging, and costly. Starlink and new innovators are changing that, revolutionizing how we connect rural America.

A service of SpaceX, Starlink delivers broadband through a constellation of low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellites, a technology unconstrained by the traditional “last mile” problem of physically connecting homes to high-speed networks. Click here to read more.

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