IL - Mother and boyfriend charged with abusing 8-year old boy to death and filming it - ROUND LAKE BEACH, Feb 2026

[Clearsky]

Man recorded himself abusing girlfriend's 8-year-old son, who died in Round Lake Beach: prosecutors

The director of the day care that the 8-year-old boy and his older sister attended last year says she told DCFS about her concerns.

abc7chicago.com

The boy's mother, Dominique Servant, 33, and her boyfriend, Joey L. Ruffin, 38, were both arrested and charged with first-degree murder and child endangerment causing death.

 

[tlcya]

The Lake County Coroner's Office identified the boy as Markell Pierce.
Man recorded himself abusing girlfriend's 8-year-old son, who died in Round Lake Beach: prosecutors

"A ten-year old sibling of the victim was interviewed at the Lake County Children's Advocacy Center and subsequently admitted to a hospital due to signs of abuse and malnourishment."
Mother, boyfriend charged with murder of 8-year-old boy in Round Lake Beach, police say

Lake County Judge Michael Nerheim agreed the treatment of 8-year-old Markell Pierce appeared to be “particularly heinous” and ordered Dominque Servant, 33, and Joey L. Ruffin, 38, held in jail while their cases are pending.
[snip]
Prosecutors alleged Monday that Servant and Ruffin engaged in a long-term pattern of physical and mental abuse of Markell, adding that the boy’s 10-year old sister remains hospitalized for malnourishment and abuse.

A 3-year-old child in the home has been placed in the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
https://www.dailyherald.com/2026020...uffered-bruising-malnourishment-before-death/

 

[tlcya]

Servant and Ruffin have been accused of abusing Markell and his 10-year-old sister over a period of almost two years, per the outlet. The victims were allegedly under constant surveillance inside their home, had cameras in their bedrooms, and were only allowed to leave once they had permission, even if they wanted to go to the bathroom, CBS Chicago noted, citing Lake County prosecutors.

Markell had also allegedly been placed on a liquid diet and not been given any food for at least 48 hours before his death, WGN-TV reported, citing prosecutors.
[snip]
Some of the abuse was allegedly recorded by Ruffin on his cell phone, per the outlet.
https://people.com/eight-year-old-b...ies-mom-her-boyfriend-charged-murder-11903315