Half-naked boy found wandering around & covered in bruises; Couple charged, police say

An Illinois mother and her boyfriend were arrested after the woman’s 11-year-old son was found covered in bruises and wandering around in his underwear, according to authorities.

The Fox Lake Police Department on Monday identified the suspects as Priscilla P. Marshall, 34, and Cody R. Marion, 35. Police said they each face the following charges:

• Aggravated battery to a child
• Domestic battery — bodily harm
• Domestic battery — physical contact
• Endangering the life or health of a child

In a news release, police said investigators learned that Marshall and Marion had been psychologically and physically abusing the boy for several years.

“The investigation revealed the victim was allegedly struck with household objects, had dish soap poured into his mouth and ears, and was not permitted to attend school,” police said.

According to authorities, it all came to light on Friday morning after a business employee called police and told them he saw the half-naked boy. The boy, said police, had blood on his face, as well as multiple welts, bruises, and scratches across his body.

The boy, who ran away from home, was immediately taken into protective custody and treated at an area hospital.

Police then went to the child’s house, where they found Marshall and arrested her. Authorities also discovered two children in the home, including a 2-year-old and a 1-year-old, who were also taken into protective custody, along with two older boys who were at school at the time.

Following medical evaluations and forensic interviews, the children were placed into the temporary care of an extended family member.

Marion was also later arrested, said police.

Marshall and Marion were held at the Fox Lake Police Department before they were taken to the Lake County Jail.

“Children must be protected with every tool we have,” Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said in a separate release. “Our office will seek to detain these offenders while they are awaiting trial, and then we will make sure that we hold them accountable after we secure guilty findings. To think of a child having to flee their own parents is heartbreaking, and I would tell anyone abusing their child that you will face serious consequences when we find you.”