Mother, boyfriend to be detained in death of 8-year-old boy in Round Lake Beach, Illinois

A Lake County judge on Monday ordered a man and woman held in jail until they face trial for murder in the death of the woman's 8-year-old son.

Markell Pierce was found dead in Round Lake Beach last week. Police said he showed signs of long-term abuse and malnourishment.

The boy's mother, 33-year-old Dominique Servant, and her boyfriend, 38-year-old Joey Ruffin, are charged with first-degree murder and child endangerment. They're accused of a long-term pattern of systematic abuse of Markell and his 10-year-old sister.

Lake County prosecutors said the abuse spanned almost two years, as Markell and his older sister 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. 

One of those cameras showed Markell wrapped in a plastic sheet which he used to relieve himself. Later, he was seen with a sheet and a pillow, which was not allowed in his home.

Prosecutors said that's when Ruffin "disciplined" him by repeatedly striking him with a belt and requiring to hold an eight-pound weight over his head for an extended period of time. Servant is accused of participating in similar acts.

Prosecutors said the boyfriend also recorded some of the abuse on his cell phone.

On Friday, Markell became unresponsive, and Ruffin called Servant before calling 911. Prosecutors said Ruffin attempted CPR, but at one point stopped to grab a shirt to put over the boy's face.

The judge assigned to the case said he suspected Ruffin might have been trying to conceal bruises on Markell's face before police or paramedics could arrive.

Police were called to the home on Cedar Lake Road on Friday afternoon for a report of an unresponsive child. Officers started CPR on Markell before he was taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, where he was pronounced dead.

"There should be one more eight-year-old alive in this world today. This horrific death was preventable," Lake County State's Attorney Eric Rinehart said.

An autopsy was conducted on Markell's body at the Lake County Coroner's office on Friday. While the evidence of injuries and malnourishment was noted, preliminary autopsy results were pending further laboratory and forensic testing, the coroner's office reported.  

Investigators said Markell appeared to be malnourished, and had bruising on his body. Evidence also points to long-term physical and mental abuse, according to investigators.

Markell's older sister was also found to exhibit signs of abuse and malnourishment, and was taken to Lurie Children's Hospital for treatment.

At a detention hearing on Monday, a judge ordered both Servant and Ruffin held in jail as they await trial. The pair also have a 3-year-old child together. Prosecutors said that child was not abused.

Servant's family was in court for Monday's hearing, and claimed she was a victim of Ruffin's abuse as well.

"This is very surprising. Like, I know my brother mentioned to the other victim's mom that my sister changed dramatically when she met your son, and we didn't think this in a million years. She loved those kids, you know, and he came into the picture, and I just don't know what happened after that," said Markell's aunt, Shantell Kelly.

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services said the family was not receiving services. But the agency is now working with police as the investigation continues.

Both Markell and his older sister had been removed from school for a period of time. Servant allegedly claimed she took them out of school because she awas frustrated by complaints from DCFS.