Jakob Bowerman loved spending time near the water, his family said. On a summer afternoon in August 2025, the 13-year-old with autism wandered to Government Pier in Marinette, Wisconsin, where he encountered two teenagers who would change everything. Three days later, Jakob was dead—his short life ended by drowning after authorities say he was swung into Lake Michigan despite telling his attackers he could not swim.
Background
Jakob Bowerman was described by those who knew him as a gentle boy who lived with autism. On Aug. 20, 2025, he found himself at the Government Pier in Marinette County when he encountered Tylor Birch, then 21, and Peyton Carnot, who was 16 years old at the time of his arrest. What began as an encounter on the pier ended with a boy fighting for his life in cold lake water.
According to charging documents obtained by Fox affiliate WLUK, Bowerman told both suspects that he could not swim before they allegedly took hold of him—Carnot grabbing his hands and Birch gripping his feet—and launched him into the water. Witnesses reported seeing the teenager "swung" off the edge of the pier and into the lake.
Jakob was submerged for an unknown period before emergency responders arrived. He was rushed to a hospital, where he died three days later from drowning, according to authorities. His death sent shockwaves through the small community and highlighted the vulnerability of children with autism who may struggle to recognize danger or communicate their limitations.
The Investigation
Marinette County investigators worked quickly to piece together what happened that August afternoon. Initially, both Birch and Carnot provided statements claiming they had jumped into the water together voluntarily—and only discovered Bowerman could not swim when he began struggling in the water. They further claimed they attempted to help him reach safety before calling 911.
But as detectives scrutinized their accounts and interviewed additional witnesses, the narrative fell apart. Police said Carnot eventually admitted the truth: that he and Birch had thrown the victim into the water after Bowerman explicitly stated he did not want to go in. The criminal complaint reads: "Carnot told [police] that he grabbed Bowerman's hands and [Birch] grabbed Bowerman's feet and they swung him off the edge, into the water."
Tylor Birch, now 22, was charged with reckless homicide in connection with Jakob's death. He was declared competent to stand trial in April 2026. During a status conference this week, Birch entered a plea of not guilty by mental disease—a legal defense that acknowledges the act occurred but argues the defendant did not understand it was wrong at the time.
A judge has ordered three psychiatric evaluations to determine whether Birch suffered from a mental disease when the alleged crime occurred. Marinette County District Attorney DeShea Morrow addressed the attempts to rescue Bowerman after the initial throw, saying: "That doesn't change what they did to start this process, which resulted in the death of the victim."
Peyton Carnot is being prosecuted as an adult despite being a teenager at the time of his arrest. His case remains separate from Birch's proceedings.
Key Takeaways
- Jakob Bowerman, 13, who lived with autism, died Aug. 23, 2025—three days after allegedly being thrown into Lake Michigan by two teenagers in Marinette, Wisconsin
- Police say Tylor Birch and Peyton Carnot grabbed the victim by hands and feet and "swung him off the edge" despite Bowerman telling them he could not swim
- Both suspects initially lied to investigators about what happened before police uncovered the truth through witness interviews
- Birch has entered a plea of not guilty by mental disease, claiming he did not know his actions were wrong
- Three psychiatric evaluations have been ordered to assess Birch's mental state at the time of the incident
What's Next
Birch is scheduled to appear in court again on Oct. 9 for further proceedings related to his mental disease defense and competency evaluation. Carnot has a separate court appearance set for Aug. 7, where he will face charges as an adult.
The tragic circumstances of Jakob's death have prompted community reflection on the treatment of children with autism and the importance of recognizing when someone's limitations—whether physical or developmental—demand extra care and protection from those around them.