‘Bruised’ and ‘Malnourished’ Boy, 8, Found Dead at Illinois Home as His Mom and Her Boyfriend Are Charged with Murder

An Illinois mother and her boyfriend are facing murder charges after authorities say an 8-year-old boy was found dead at his home in Round Lake Beach.

According to a statement from the Round Lake Beach Police Department, officers and firefighters responded on Friday, Feb. 6 at approximately 2:05 p.m. to a residence in the 1900 block of Cedar Lake Road following reports of an unresponsive child.

Police said officers arrived and immediately began CPR. Paramedics continued life-saving efforts before transporting the child to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. First responders observed that the child appeared malnourished and had visible bruising.

The Lake County Coroner’s Office later identified the boy as Markell Pierce.

Officials said an autopsy was conducted on Feb. 6. While injuries and signs of malnourishment were noted, authorities said preliminary findings remain pending as laboratory and forensic testing continues.

Police confirmed that Markell’s mother, Dominique Servant, 33, and her boyfriend, Joey L. Ruffin, 38, were each charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of child endangerment causing death.

On Monday, Feb. 9, a Lake County judge ordered that both defendants remain in custody pending trial, according to CBS Chicago.

Prosecutors allege Servant and Ruffin subjected Markell and his 10-year-old sister to prolonged abuse over nearly two years. CBS Chicago reported that authorities claim the children were kept under constant surveillance inside the home, including cameras installed in their bedrooms, and required permission to move about the residence.

Markell was allegedly placed on a liquid diet and denied food for at least 48 hours prior to his death, WGN-TV reported, citing prosecutors.

Authorities further allege that Ruffin disciplined the boy by repeatedly striking him with a belt and forcing him to hold an 8-pound weight above his head for extended periods. Prosecutors claim Servant participated in similar acts, according to CBS Chicago.

Investigators also stated that portions of the alleged abuse were recorded on Ruffin’s cellphone.

Police said evidence collected during the investigation pointed to long-term neglect, physical abuse, and mental abuse.

Markell’s 10-year-old sibling was interviewed at the Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center and later admitted to a hospital after showing signs of abuse and malnourishment, police said.

Servant and Ruffin share a 3-year-old child. Prosecutors said they do not believe the younger child was abused, CBS Chicago reported.

“There should be one more 8-year-old alive in this world today. This horrific death was preventable,” Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said, according to WLS-TV’s ABC7.

Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek described the loss as devastating, emphasizing the responsibility to protect vulnerable children.

Carrie Pinske, director of a daycare previously attended by Markell and his sister, told ABC7 that concerns about the children’s well-being had been reported to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) last year.

Pinske said the children frequently appeared hungry. She recalled an incident in which Markell was given leftover snacks, only for his mother to intervene.

“I tried to give the information that I could,” Pinske said, according to ABC7. She added that the children were withdrawn from the daycare days after her conversation with DCFS.

A DCFS spokesperson confirmed the family had not been receiving services from the department.

“The death of a child is profoundly heartbreaking, especially when the alleged perpetrators are the ones that are supposed to protect and care for the child,” the agency said in a statement. Officials added that DCFS is cooperating with law enforcement but declined further comment, citing state privacy laws.

Round Lake Police Chief Ryan Rodriguez shared a public message addressing the community’s grief.

“Our community is grieving,” Rodriguez wrote. “The tragic loss of an 8-year-old child has shaken us to our core.”

He urged residents to come together in support of one another and to honor the child’s memory.

Representatives for the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office and Rodriguez did not provide additional comment.