Trials delayed in Sabrina Ray starvation, child abuse cases

LEE ROOD   | The Des Moines Register

The trials of several family members in the starvation and abuse death of Perry teenager Sabrina Ray and two siblings have been continued until spring.

Marc Alan Ray, 41, and his wife, Misty Jo Bousman-Ray, 40, were scheduled to go to trial Monday, Jan. 29, in connection with the 16-year-old’s death.

The husband and wife, who ran a daycare center, took in Sabrina as a foster child in 2011 and adopted her in 2013. They face multiple felonies after she was pulled out of school, abused and found unresponsive May 12 at the Rays' home in Perry.

Also charged are grandmother Carla Bousman and brother Justin Dale Ray, accused of drop-kicking Sabrina down a flight of stairs. 

The trial of Josie Raye Bousman, 20, who is accused of three counts of kidnapping, child endangerment causing death, and obstructing prosecution is scheduled for March 26.

The abuse allegations surrounding Ray were made public months after those involving Natalie Finn, who starved to death in West Des Moines, and Malayia Knapp, who fled an abusive home in Urbandale in late 2015.

Natalie’s mother, Nicole Finn, was sentenced to three life terms Friday.

Another mother accused of malnourishing a baby, Ambrashia Marie Chrzan, was furloughed from jail this month to give birth at the University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City.

Chrzan and father Anthony Lamont McCoy, 36, of Riverside, are accused of failing to provide medical care and nourishment before their baby daughter Avery died last year, according to a criminal complaint filed in October.

Avery had been placed in foster care but was returned to her birth parents' home.