Mom is attacked by daughter’s boyfriend, then they steal her car, Michigan cops say

A 58-year-old woman was violently assaulted in an attack partially orchestrated by her teenage daughter, Michigan authorities say.

The woman’s 16-year-old daughter came to her Holly home March 2 with her 21-year-old boyfriend, Joseph Matthew McDonough, who “proceeded to violently beat the victim, demanding her car keys,” the Holly Police Department said in a March 18 news release.

McDonough and the woman’s daughter then stole her mom’s credit cards, vehicle and other personal belongings, police said.

The mother was taken to a hospital and listed in serious condition, according to investigators.

Meanwhile, officers began searching for the victim’s car, which was entered as stolen and broadcast to law enforcement agencies in Oakland and Macomb counties.

On March 4, two days after the alleged attack, Clinton Township officers found the vehicle and attempted to pull over the driver, police said. But the driver fled and eventually abandoned the car.

Over the next week, the couple is accused of stealing two more vehicles. They were arrested March 10 while assaulting an officer and attempting to flee, according to police.

Police said the 16-year-old was charged March 11 with assault with intent to commit great bodily home less than murder, unlawful driving, larceny and interfering with a 911 call.

On March 14, McDonough was arraigned on charges of assault with intent to commit great bodily home less than murder, unlawful driving and larceny in a building, police said.

All three stolen vehicles were recovered, according to investigators, who said additional charges are possible against the couple and possible accomplices.

Holly is about a 55-mile drive northwest from Detroit.

This story was originally published March 18, 2025 at 2:10 PM with the headline "Mom is attacked by daughter’s boyfriend, then they steal her car, Michigan cops say."