Mt. Juliet doctor charged with abusing, killing 4-year-old daughter

A Wilson County grand jury has indicted a Mt. Juliet doctor on charges of first-degree murder and child abuse stemming from the death of her 4-year-old daughter. Her husband also was indicted on child abuse charges involving the girl, Kairissa Mark.

Dr. Deborah Mark, 39, and her husband, Steven Mark, 47, were arrested today.

Mt. Juliet Police officers answered a call to the home at 441 Laurel Hills Drive on July 1 and found the child unresponsive. She was taken to Summit Hospital to meet a Vanderbilt Lifeflight helicopter so she could be airlifted to Nashville. She died the next day.

Deborah Mark is charged with first-degree murder, perpetration of aggravated child abuse, aggravated child abuse and four counts of child abuse.

Steven Mark is charged with aggravated child abuse and neglect, criminal responsibility for aggravated child abuse, aggravated assault by failure to protect, four counts of child abuse and accessory after the fact.

The couple is set to appear in court July 23.