Pediatrician, Husband Indicted In Child's Death

MOUNT JULIET, Tenn. -- A mother and father from Mount Juliet will face charges in the death of their 4-year-old adopted daughter from China.

Deborah Mark has been indicted by a Wilson County grand jury on one count of felony first-degree murder and multiple counts of aggravated child abuse in the death of Kairissa Mark. Deborah Mark is a pediatrician in Lebanon.

An ambulance was called to the family's home located along Laurel Hill Drive in the Autumn Ridge subdivision July 1. Later, two Mount Juliet police officers arrived and observed what they described as obvious signs of abuse to a 4-year-old girl who lived at the home.

The child was rushed to Summit Medical Center in Hermitage but later died at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital.

Deborah’s husband, Steven Mark, has also been indicted on a count of failure to protect and a count of accessory after the fact in the child’s death.

The Marks surrendered to police and are out of jail on bond. A hearing is scheduled July 23 at the Lebanon courthouse.

Their 8-year old biological child is in state custody.