Arrests made in death of 4-year old MJ child

Mt. Juliet, Tennessee-

On July 1st, 2010 Officers with the Mt. Juliet Police Department (MJPD) responded to 441 Laurel Hills Drive in Mt. Juliet, Wilson County, Tennessee to assist Wilson County Emergency Management (WEMA) medical personnel with an unresponsive 4 year old female child. Officers quickly arrived on the scene and were met by the father, Steven Mark, who led them to the child. Officers immediately started life saving efforts by initiating CPR using both chest compression and breathing techniques. After WEMA arrived on scene, the child was transported to Summit Hospital to meet a Vanderbilt Lifeflight helicopter for transport to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. On July 2nd, 2010 at 11:48 AM, the child Kairissa Mark, succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased.

Since the inception of the incident, the MJPD Criminal Investigative Division has been involved in investigating this case. Agencies that assisted include the District Attorney General’s Office, Wilson County, TN Sheriff’s Office, and Lebanon, TN Police Department’s Forensics Unit, and the TN Department of Children’s Services.

This morning, a Wilson County Grand Jury met and declared a true bill to indict the suspects on criminal charges. Deborah Mark, MD and Steven Mark have been arrested and are being held in the Wilson County, TN jail. A court date has been scheduled for July 23rd, 2010.

Charges for Dr. Deborah Mark (DOB 6/2/1971): Total Bond: $150,000.00

1 Count: First Degree Murder

1 Count: Perpetration of Aggravated Child Abuse

1 Count: Aggravated Child Abuse

4 Counts: Child Abuse

Charges for Steven Mark (DOB 6/21/1963): Total Bond: $100,000.00

1 Count: Aggravated Child Abuse and Neglect

1 Count: Criminal Responsibility for Aggravated Child Abuse

1 Count: Aggravated Assault by Failure to Protect

4 Counts: Child Abuse

1 Count: Accessory After the Fact