Bloody, Bruised 11-Year-Old Found Wandering in Illinois Suburb

An 11-year-old boy discovered wandering alone in a northwest suburban neighborhood with visible injuries.  Friday morning has led to child abuse charges against his mother and her boyfriend, authorities said.

According to police, officers were called around 9:30am in Fox Lake after an employee at a nearby business reported seeing a child outside wearing only underwear.  The worker told authorities the boy had blood on his face along with welts, bruises, and scratches covering parts of his body.

Get our free mobile app

Bloody, Bruised 11-Year-Old Found Wandering in Illinois Suburb

When officers arrived, they spoke with the employee and the child.  The boy was immediately taken into protective custody and transported to Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital for a medical evaluation.

Investigations then went to the child's home in the 30 block of East Grand Avenue, where they spoke with the boy's mother, 34-year-old Pricilla Marshall.  Police took her into custody at the residence.

Inside the home, officers located two other children, ages 1 and 2, who did not appear to be injured.  Police said those children were also taken into protective custody.  Two additional siblings who had been at school at the time were later removed from the home as well.

Read More: Illinois Mother Found Tied Up After 5-Hour Police Standoff 

Related: Illinois Breaks a Big Truck Trend With Its Most Popular Vehicle

All five children were brought to the Lake County Child Advocacy Center in Gurnee, where they underwent medical examinations and participated in forensic interviews.  Authorities said the children have since been placed in the temporary care of an extended family member.

During the investigation, police determined the 11-year-old had allegedly suffered years of abuse involving Marchall and her boyfriend, 35-year-old Cody Marion.  The child was struck with various household items, had dish soap forced into his mouth and ears, and had not been allowed to attend school.

After the forensic interviews were completed, officers returned to the residence and arrest the boyfriend, Marion.  The couple both face multiple charges, including aggravated battery to a child, domestic battery causing bodily harm, domestic battery involving physical contact, and child endangerment.