Left: Pricilla P. Marshall. Right: Cody R. Marion (Fox Lake Police Department).
An Illinois mother and her boyfriend are currently incarcerated, accused of inflicting prolonged abuse on her 11-year-old son. Allegations against them include forcing the child to ingest dish soap and compelling him to write sentences such as “you’re not a loved child, everybody hates you.”
Pricilla P. Marshall, 34, and Cody R. Marion, 35, are charged with aggravated battery, child endangerment, and two counts of domestic battery, according to a statement from the Fox Lake Police Department.
The case unfolded early Friday morning when a local business owner near Nippersink Boulevard and Grand Avenue discovered the 11-year-old wearing only a diaper and appearing severely beaten. Officers reported that the child had facial injuries, along with welts, bruises, and scratches all over his body.
After police took the boy to a hospital, they visited his home, where they encountered Marshall. The residence also housed two toddlers, aged 1 and 2, and two older boys who were at school during the incident, all of whom appeared unharmed, authorities noted.
Through forensic interviews with the children, investigators concluded that Marshall and Marion had been abusing the boy for several years. Allegations include pouring dish soap into the boy’s mouth and ears, physically beating him with household items, and preventing him from attending school.
During a court hearing over the weekend, prosecutors presented further evidence, as reported by the Lake & McHenry County Scanner. The court heard that Marshall allegedly used extension cords, metal spatulas, and spoons to beat the boy and would sometimes punch him in the face. The abuse reportedly intensified with Marshall forcing the child to undress to increase the pain, threatening to stab him “33 times,” and instructing his older brother to assault him.
The mother also forced her son to repeatedly write sentences that said “you’re not a loved child, everybody hates you” in a notebook while kneeling on uneven floorboards, according to prosecutors.
In addition, Marshall and Marion would feed the other children food from McDonald’s or Pizza Hut, while forcing the boy to eat canned food or ravioli, the Scanner reported.
While the boy was subjected to the abuse, none of the other children were harmed, according to cops.
After interviewing the children, police arrested Marshall and Marion and transported them to the Lake County Jail. Both are being held without bond. Marion has a court date set for Tuesday.
