Stafford Man Charged With Murder in Death of Foster Son

Image: David John Marcussen (Stafford County Sheriff’s Office)

A Stafford County man faces a trial for murder, child neglect and other charges stemming from the death of his foster child, the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday.

Stafford sheriff’s deputies arrested David John Marcussen, 33, of 635 Village Parkway, on Friday after he was indicted by a Stafford County special grand jury. The grand jury was investigating the death of Ka’ron Mason, a 12-month-old baby boy who died Feb. 1 in a Richmond hospital.

An investigation by a Stafford police detective determined that the child had suffered serious burns while receiving a bath from Marcussen, the sheriff’s office said.

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Marcussen has been charged with one count of felony murder, one count of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of cruelty to children and one count of child neglect, according to the sheriff’s office. He is currently incarcerated at the Rappahannock Regional Jail under no bond.

Ka’ron was in the legal custody of the Fredericksburg Department of Social Services (DSS), and was placed with his foster family last July. In a statement Wednesday, the department said: “All of us ... are very saddened by the tragic death of Ka’ron. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ka’ron’s family and loved ones as they mourn for him.”

Ka’ron’s foster parents, the department said, ”passed the stringent selection and training criteria required by our agency.” In addition, Fredericksburg DSS caseworkers visited him in the foster home at least monthly, and last visited Ka’ron on Dec. 17.

On Jan. 6, he was brought to a local hospital with burns to his face, torso and neck, the Stafford sheriff’s office said. After an evaluation by that hospital, the baby was airlifted to the MCV Hospital in Richmond.

The local hospital also contacted Stafford County Child Protective Services, which in turn contacted the sheriff’s office. The office then began investigating the incident.

The Fredericksburg Department of Social Service said a state child fatality review team will examine this case after any criminal or administrative hearings are completed.