CHICAGO (TNND) — An Illinois mother and her boyfriend were arrested in connection with the death of a malnourished 8-year-old boy, according to authorities.
The Round Lake Beach Police Department said Dominique Servant, 33, and Joey L. Ruffin, 38, were each charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of child endangerment causing death.
CBS Chicago identified the boy as Markell Pierce.
Police said authorities responded to a home for a report an unresponsive child on Friday around 2 p.m. While they “immediately initiated CPR” and rushed the child to a nearby hospital, he was later pronounced dead.
“First responders noticed the child appeared malnourished and had bruising on his body,” police noted in a Facebook post. “Based on the suspicious injuries and circumstances, Round Lake Beach Police requested the assistance of the Lake County Major Crime Task Force.”
Dominique Servant (Photo:{ }Round Lake Beach Police Department)
That’s when investigators “found evidence that the child had been subject to long-term neglect, physical abuse, and mental abuse,” said police. Authoris said an autopsy showed “signs consistent with long-term malnourishment and physical abuse.”
Police also said the boy’s 10-year old sibling, who was interviewed at the Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center, had to be admitted to a hospital due to signs of abuse and malnourishment.
Joey L. Ruffin (Photo:{ }Round Lake Beach Police Department)
CBS Chicago reported that a judge ordered the suspects be held in jail until they face trial on the murder charges.
Citing prosecutors, the media outlet said the abuse spanned nearly two years, noting that the boy and his sibling were under “constant surveillance inside their home, with cameras in their bedrooms, where they were confined and could only leave with permission, even to use the bathroom.”
CBS Chicago noted that footage captured the boy wrapped in a plastic sheet, which he used to relieve himself. The outlet also reported that Ruffin “disciplined” the boy by repeatedly hitting him with a belt and forcing him to hold an eight-pound weight above his head “for an extended period of time,” adding that Servant was accused of participating in similar abuse.
“Prosecutors said the boyfriend also recorded some of the abuse on his cell phone,” per the outlet.
In a separate social media post, Chief Ryan Rodriguez said the boy’s death has shaken the department, as well as the community, to its core.
“There are simply no words that can fully capture the heartbreak we feel as parents, neighbors, friends, and as a police department,” Rodriguez wrote. “When a precious child is taken from us in such a way, it is natural to feel anger. It is natural to feel confusion. It is natural to ask why. I share in that grief. In moments like this, we must come together, not apart. We must support one another.”
Rodriguez said he always relies on his faith during tough times. He urged the public to find a source of peace, whether through faith or loved ones, reflection, and to hold tightly to it in the days ahead.
“Above all, let us honor this young life by recommitting ourselves to unity, protection, purpose, and love for one another,” Rodriguez said.
“Beyond our professional responsibility, the men and women of the Round Lake Beach Police Department stand with you as fellow members of this grieving community. May we find peace. May we find strength. And may we never lose sight of what matters most,” he added.
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