03-28-2019 Police Reports; Birkhead faces homicide charges in son’s death

Police Reports

By Annette Christie Birkhead faces homicide charges in son’s death Gary Birkhead, 48, of Bangor appeared in court via video March 20, 2019 when he was arraigned on charges connected to the death of his son.

Cole Birkhead, 16, died August 13, 2017 of a drug overdose. The elder Birkhead was arrested on March 19, 2019 following a lengthy investigation by the Michigan State Police. The Van Buren County Prosecutor’s Office authorized the charges of involuntary manslaughter and second-degree child abuse. Details on the charges were not released at this time. In his video arraignment Gary Birkhead told the court that he is anxious to prove his innocence. His preliminary hearing is set for April 10, 2019. He is being held in the Van Buren County Jail on $1 million cash bond. Possession in Van Buren County Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel E. Abbott reports that the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit conducted an investigation in reference to illegal narcotics activities taking place at a residence located in Paw Paw Township. Narcotics detectives were able to obtain a search warrant for the residence. The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit along with deputies from the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office Uniform Response Division executed the search warrant on Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at approximately 12:45 p.m. A search of the location was conducted pursuant to the search warrant. Located during the search were suspected methamphetamine residue, drug packaging materials, digital drug scales, and unknown type pills. Charges will be sought of the two individuals involved: a 41-year-old male and a 23-year-old female, both from the Paw Paw area. The charges include possession of methamphetamine and maintaining a drug house. The incident will be forwarded to the Van Buren County Prosecutor’s Office for review.