XPost: chi.general, sac.politics, alt.war.civil.usa   
   XPost: alt.politics.liberalism, soc.culture.african.american   
   From: noreply@mixmin.net   
      
   CHICAGO (TNND) — An Illinois mother and her boyfriend were arrested in   
   connection with the death of a malnourished 8-year-old boy, according to   
   authorities.   
      
   The Round Lake Beach Police Department said Dominique Servant, 33, and   
   Joey L. Ruffin, 38, were each charged with two counts of first-degree   
   murder and one count of child endangerment causing death.   
      
   CBS Chicago identified the boy as Markell Pierce.   
      
   Police said authorities responded to a home for a report an unresponsive   
   child on Friday around 2 p.m. While they "immediately initiated CPR" and   
   rushed the child to a nearby hospital, he was later pronounced dead.   
      
   "First responders noticed the child appeared malnourished and had   
   bruising on his body," police noted in a Facebook post. "Based on the   
   suspicious injuries and circumstances, Round Lake Beach Police requested   
   the assistance of the Lake County Major Crime Task Force."   
      
   Dominique Servant   
   https://kmph.com/resources/media2/16x9/307/986/0x5/90/6f693c8a-30b5-4cc7-   
   84db-2fa177a12459-Screenshot20260210at4.26.00PM.png Dominique Servant   
   (Photo:{ }Round Lake Beach Police Department)   
      
   That's when investigators "found evidence that the child had been   
   subject to long-term neglect, physical abuse, and mental abuse," said   
   police. Authoris said an autopsy showed "signs consistent with long-term   
   malnourishment and physical abuse."   
      
   Police also said the boy's 10-year old sibling, who was interviewed at   
   the Lake County Children's Advocacy Center, had to be admitted to a   
   hospital due to signs of abuse and malnourishment.   
      
   Joey L. Ruffin   
   https://kmph.com/resources/media2/16x9/301/986/0x26/90/8d0e49d9-5195-4c0a   
   -8ac9-d1b61e3524df-Screenshot20260210at4.26.09PM.png Joey L. Ruffin   
   (Photo:{ }Round Lake Beach Police Department)   
      
   CBS Chicago reported that a judge ordered the suspects be held in jail   
   until they face trial on the murder charges.   
      
   Citing prosecutors, the media outlet said the abuse spanned nearly two   
   years, noting that the boy and his sibling 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."   
      
   CBS Chicago noted that footage captured the boy wrapped in a plastic   
   sheet, which he used to relieve himself. The outlet also reported that   
   Ruffin "disciplined" the boy by repeatedly hitting him with a belt and   
   forcing him to hold an eight-pound weight above his head "for an   
   extended period of time," adding that Servant was accused of   
   participating in similar abuse.   
      
   "Prosecutors said the boyfriend also recorded some of the abuse on his   
   cell phone," per the outlet. In a separate social media post, Chief Ryan   
   Rodriguez said the boy's death has shaken the department, as well as the   
   community, to its core.   
      
   "There are simply no words that can fully capture the heartbreak we feel   
   as parents, neighbors, friends, and as a police department," Rodriguez   
   wrote. "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. In moments like this, we must come   
   together, not apart. We must support one another."   
      
   Rodriguez said he always relies on his faith during tough times. He   
   urged the public to find a source of peace, whether through faith or   
   loved ones, reflection, and to hold tightly to it in the days ahead.   
      
   "Above all, let us honor this young life by recommitting ourselves to   
   unity, protection, purpose, and love for one another," Rodriguez said.   
      
   "Beyond our professional responsibility, the men and women of the Round   
   Lake Beach Police Department stand with you as fellow members of this   
   grieving community. May we find peace. May we find strength. And may we   
   never lose sight of what matters most," he added.   
      
   https://kmph.com/news/nation-world/malnourished-boy-found-dead-with-mothe   
   r-and-boyfriend-facing-murder-charges-police-round-lake-beach-police-depa   
   rtment-illinois-first-degree-murder-investigation-physical-mental-abuse-c   
   hild-endangerment-death-neglect-autopsy   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)