8/29/2025

MARINETTE - A 21-year-old man is now formally charged in the drowning death of a 13-year-old boy in Marinette.  Yesterday a judge set $500,000 cash bond for Tylor Robert Birch. Birch is being charged with second-degree reckless homicide for the death of 13-year-old Jakob Bowerman.  On August 20, officers, EMS, and the Marinette Fire Department responded to a distress call at Menekaunee Harbor Boat Launch in Marinette. Jakob was found unresponsive in the water and died.  According to the criminal complaint, Birch and another teen, identified as P.C. in the complaint, initially claimed Jakob voluntarily jumped into the water along with them.  Jakob’s mother stated the 13-year-old was bullied by the boys and was afraid of water and was either thrown or pushed in.  Birch’s next court hearing is scheduled for September 22.