Mt. Juliet Pediatrician Charged In Death Of Her Adopted Child

MOUNT.JULIET, Tenn. -- Deborah Mark was a respected pediatrician. Her husband Steven Mark was a stay at home dad.

The couple had just adopted a 4-year-old girl from China in April. On July 1, police were called to their Providence subdivision home. The 4-year old was not responsive.

Wilson County paramedics got her breathing again, but the girl died at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital six days later.

Mount Juliet officers found evidence of abuse on the child's body. "Our officers also observed evidence of possible abuse and requested the criminal investigation unit to send some detectives out," said Mount Juliet Police Chief Andy Garrett.

When investigators presented their evidence to the Wilson County grand jury this morning, the panel indicted the couple on a number of felony charges.

Deborah Mark was indicted on seven felony counts, including first-degree murder. Steven Mark is charged with eight felony charges, including accessory after the fact and aggravated assault by failure to protect.

"It's a personal feeling that you work hard on a case. It gives the little girl justice, that's our main goal," said Bonnie Harris, a lead investigator in the case.

The couple 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.