After spending more than 500 days in the Oakland County Jail for throwing lye on her father, leading to his death, an Ortonville teenager was set free Tuesday afternoon.
Facing a possible lifetime in prison after an Oakland County Jury convicted her of unlawful possession or use of harmful devices – imitation/irritants – causing death, Megan Imirowicz, 19, was sentenced Tuesday to one year in jail — with credit for 506 days — followed by five years probation. The jury had also found her guilty of misdemeanor domestic violence, but that charge was dropped during her sentencing hearing.
Other terms of Imirowicz’s sentence, handed down by Judge Victoria Valentine, include “intensive probation,” consisting of a mental health assessment/psychological exam, alcohol and drug testing as directed by her probation officer, and a review in court next January — six months into her probation. In addition to court costs and fines, Imirowicz is required to participate in a high school or GED program, be home each night by 9 p.m. and wear an electronic tether.
Imirowicz was jailed in March 2022 following the death of her father, Konrad Imirowicz, 64. For approximately five months, he was hospitalized for chemical burns and related complications before coming home on hospice care and dying three days later.
In response to the sentence, Chief Assistant Prosecutor David Williams told The Oakland Press: “This was not the sentence we advocated for, however the judge ultimately decides what sentence will be imposed.”
According to the prosecution, on the day of the assault Megan Imirowicz fought with her father because he was drunk and unable to drive her to a hair salon appointment that morning ahead of her planned 18th birthday party. Konrad Imirowicz reportedly had a drinking problem and was highly intoxicated when he arrived at Ascension Genesys Hospital several hours after the incident. He was transported by paramedics called to his home by one of Megan Imirowicz’s friends who found him lying on the couch with severe injuries.
During his hospitalization, Konrad Imirowicz underwent amputation of both legs, and endured multiple infections, a tracheotomy, skin grafts and kidney dialysis.
Tearful statement
The case against Megan Imirowicz drew national attention and coverage by Court TV. On Tuesday, prior to being sentenced, Imirowicz read a tearful statement in court, saying that her father was “my best friend…the one constant in my life,” and that she now “battles with self harm” every day.
Further, she told the court that she’s scared her father, in his last months, didn’t think she loved him because she wasn’t permitted to visit him in the hospital or when he returned home to die. She also maintained that her father had initially told police that she hadn’t harmed him — but changed his story about what had happened after speaking with her older brother who, she claimed, had a history of hurting him. Her brother, she said, “changed the truth and pointed the finger” at her.
Soon after the verdict was announced but prior to sentencing, Megan Imirowicz’s mother, Julie Conrad, told The Oakland Press that she believed the prosecution didn’t have a strong case despite the verdict.
“I like facts. I don’t think we had all the facts,” Conrad said, adding that her ex-husband Konrad Imirowicz had multiple health problems unrelated to the chemical burns that she thinks contributed to his death. “Only about 25 percent (of the facts) came out…it didn’t add up,” she said.
Kanu Virani, MD, a former Oakland County medical examiner, now retired, testified that chemical burns, with complications, are what caused Konrad Imirowicz’s death.
Conrad also questioned photographs presented as evidence from the scene. “It was two plus two that never added up to four for me,” she said.
Megan was the second child she and Konrad Imirowicz had adopted, Conrad said, and was brought home to an older brother, Austin, when she was just a few days old. Austin, who isn’t Megan’s biological brother, was among those who testified for the prosecution during the trial.
Julie Conrad said she and Konrad Imirowicz eventually had two biological children before divorcing in 2011.
