ROUND LAKE BEACH, Ill. – A mother and her boyfriend are facing first-degree murder charges following the death of an eight-year-old boy in Round Lake Beach, Illinois, authorities announced . The case has shaken the local community and prompted a wave of grief and outrage.
Dominique Servant, 33, and Joey L. Ruffin, 38, were ordered held pending trial after appearing in court afternoon, according to the Lake County State’s Attorney’s office. They are accused in the death of Markell Pierce, who was identified by the Lake County Coroner’s Office.
Evidence presented by Round Lake Beach detectives indicates that Markell endured prolonged neglect and physical abuse at home. Investigators say the abuse spanned at least 20 months, and video evidence corroborates the claims. A judge described the suspects’ actions as “heinous.”
Prosecutors allege that Servant and Ruffin routinely assaulted Markell and his ten-year-old sibling with belts, and forced them to carry eight-pound weights as a form of punishment. The details of the alleged abuse emerged during court proceedings and have sparked widespread condemnation.
First responders discovered Markell unresponsive at his Round Lake Beach residence last week. They observed signs of severe malnourishment and bruising on his body. According to the prosecutor, the boy had been repeatedly beaten and deprived of food for days leading up to his death. Preliminary autopsy results confirmed malnourishment and physical abuse as contributing factors.
The boy’s ten-year-old sister was also hospitalized due to signs of abuse. A three-year-old brother was found at the home and has been placed in the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Prosecutors have stated they do not believe the youngest child was abused.
The DCFS confirmed that the family was not previously receiving services from the department. The agency is cooperating with law enforcement in the investigation.
The tragedy has deeply affected the Round Lake Beach community. A memorial has been established near the boy’s home, adorned with candles and stuffed animals. Round Lake Beach Police Chief Ryan Rodriguez expressed his grief on social media, stating, “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.”
Servant is a paraprofessional at Fairhaven school in Mundelein, where she has worked since October 2023. The Special Education District of Lake County (SEDOL) stated that Servant had been performing her duties satisfactorily and that criminal background checks were conducted during the hiring process. SEDOL expressed its sadness over the tragedy and reaffirmed its commitment to providing a safe learning environment for all students.
The Lake County State’s Attorney emphasized the preventability of the tragedy, urging anyone witnessing signs of child abuse or malnourishment to report it. The office also highlighted the availability of resources for parents in need of assistance.
“There should be one more eight-year-old child alive in this world today,” the State’s Attorney said in a statement. “This horrific death was preventable. If you see signs of a child being abused or malnourished, report it. If you need help as a parent, get it. If you are abusing your child, stop it now.”
The State’s Attorney’s office has vowed to pursue a full prosecution of those responsible for Markell’s death, stating, “If you are abusing your child or criminally neglecting their basic needs, and that child dies, you will be prosecuted for murder in Lake County.”
Servant and Ruffin are scheduled to appear in court again on .
The DCFS released a statement expressing its profound sorrow over the child’s death and acknowledging the devastating impact on the community. The department reiterated its commitment to protecting children and its inability to provide specific details due to legal restrictions surrounding child abuse and neglect investigations.
