Boy Starved, Abused To Death By Mom, Her Boyfriend In Round Lake Beach: Police

ROUND LAKE BEACH, IL — A mother and her boyfriend are facing murder charges after an 8-year-old boy died Friday in Round Lake Beach. The victim appears to have died from long-term malnourishment and abuse, police said.

Authorities were dispatched Friday afternoon to a home on the 1900 block of Cedar Lake Road for a report of an unresponsive child.

Police administered CPR before the boy was brought to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The boy's body had bruises and signs of malnourishments, which raised suspicions, police said. Investigators believe he suffered from longterm neglect and physical and mental abuse.

Authorities interviewed the victim's 10-year-old sibling at the Lake County Children's Advocacy Center. The sibling was then admitted to a hospital for signs of abuse and malnourishment, police said.

An autopsy was conducted Friday night. Preliminary findings indicate signs of longterm malnourishment and abuse, police said. Final results are pending.

The victim's mother — Dominique Servant, 33 — and her boyfriend — Joey L. Ruffin, 38 — were each charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of child endangerment causing death.

"Our community is grieving," said Round Lake Beach Police Chief Ryan Rodriguez. "The tragic loss of an 8-year-old child has shaken us to our core. There are simply no words that can fully capture the heartbreak we feel as parents, neighbors, friends, and as a police department."

Ruffin and Servant are due in court Sunday morning. The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office will petition to keep them detained as they await trial.

The investigation remains ongoing.