Ludington man sentenced 25-70 years for killing infant son

Overla

Ludington man sentenced 25-70 years for killing infant son

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief

LUDINGTON — A Ludington man has been sentenced in 51st Circuit Court Wednesday to serve 25 to 70 years in prison for killing his 2-month-old son. 

Craig David Overla, 37, was initially arraigned in August 2021 on four felony charges, including homicide — open murder, homicide, felony murder, child abuse first degree and habitual offender, fourth offense. The charges stemmed from a March 12, 2019 incident that resulted in the death of Overla’s 2-month-old son, Maverick. The two homicide charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement and he was ultimately sentenced on the charge of child abuse first degree. 

On March 12, 2019, Ludington Police Department, Ludington Fire Department, and Life EMS responded to a call on an unresponsive infant. Maverick was transported to Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital (now Corewell Health Ludington Hospital) and subsequently air lifted by helicopter to DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids. After life saving measures failed he was pronounced dead on April 26, 2019.
According to court records, the final event leading up to the child’s hospitalization was following a series of abusive events. 

In December 2022 Overla pleaded no contest to the charges against him. 

Overla is currently serving a federal prison sentence. On Oct. 3, 2019 he was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 10 years in prison on federal weapons charges, which stemmed from the Ludington Police Department investigation related to Maverick Overla’s injuries from March 2019. He is eligible for release from that sentence on Oct. 31, 2027. That sentence is separate from the 51st Circuit Court sentence. 

Craig Overla has been sentenced 11 times previously for charges that include home invasion first degree (Oceana County), stolen property $1,000 or more but less than $20,000 (Oceana County), unlawfully driving away an automobile (Oceana County), breaking and entering a building with intent (Oceana County), financial transaction device – stealing/retaining without consent (Mason County), escape – prison – conspiracy (Branch County), breaking and entering a building with intent (Oceana County), weapons – firearms – larceny (Oceana County), home invasion, first degree (Oceana County), breaking and entering a vehicle with damage to vehicle (Oceana County), stolen property (Oceana County). 

Overla presently faces felony charges of second-degree home invasion and breaking and entering a building with intent in Oceana County stemming from an Oceana County Sheriff’s Office investigation.

“We were aware that the suspect was going through cases with both the federal government and Mason County, and as those have been resolved, we are starting our case,” said Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon. “We’re not expecting that we’re going to be giving him any additional time, but it’s important for the victims that their cases get resolved.”

He is scheduled to appear in Oceana County’s 79th District Court for a probable cause hearing Tuesday, Feb. 21, at 1 p.m.

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