In memoriam Marcus Fiesel
August 30, 2006 by Kristina Chew, PhD
Filed under Health
Whenever I hear about an autistic child coming into harm’s way or, even worse, dying—being killed—I feel as if all of us who live “autism every day” lose something.
Three-year-old Marcus Fiesel, who was autistic, died in August. He was taken from his mother, Donna Trevino, in April, after he was found wandering in the street alone on April 22; on January 4, he had fallen from a second-story window of Trevino’s home (go here for a timeline from the Middletown Journal). In May, Marcus was placed in the home of Liz Carroll and David Carroll in Union Township, Ohio.
On August 4, the Carrolls bound Marcus and placed him in a closet for two days while they attended a family reunion in Kentucky (see Middletown mother breaks silence about death of her 3-year-old Marcus Fiesel). Marcus died at the Carrolls’ home as reported in the Middletown Journal.
On August 10, a caseworker visited the Carrolls’ house and was turned away when Liz Carroll said Marcus was sick. On August 15, while in a park with four children, Liz Carroll collapsed; only three children were present when authorities arrived and Marcus was declared missing. 2,000 volunteers searched the park; the search was called off on August 18. Liz Carroll, dressed in the same clothes as she had been wearing when Marcus allegedly went missing, made a public plea to find her foster son. As reported on August 29th by WCPO.com, Marcus’ remains were recovered in an abandoned chimney in a remote location.
The Carrolls, Marcus’ foster parents, have been arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter. Police say that David Carroll burned Marcus’ body to destroy any evidence.
I think I’m going to have to let those facts speak for themselves—and these facts tell a sad story of a young boy’s too short life.
In memoriam Marcus Fiesel.
Kristina, here is a post I have made regarding Marcus, I hope you don’t mind that I place it here as well.
“Come here Marcus, you are with Me now”
That is what God said to Marcus a few days ago. You see when Marcus got to heaven he was frightened and crying. God picked him up and held him. He told Marcus to dry his tears and feel safe because “you are with Me now”. Marcus looked at Him and said “you won’t hurt me?”. Never, replied God; no one here would ever hurt one of my little ones. Marcus took a deep breath, he felt warm and good. There was a new sensation flowing through his body. God looked at him, smiled and said “that is love you are feeling, how do you like it?”. Marcus said he liked it very much. God said good, that is all you will ever feel from now on. He put a smiling Marcus down and said now go and play.
No sooner had God put Marcus down but a little three year old girl was there. She said “hi Marcus, let me show you around”. Marcus asked “who was that man”? She replied “the big people here call him by a lot names but He said we can call him Jesus, because it is easier for us to say”. “Is he always that nice?” Marcus asked. Oh yes, she replied. Just hug him and he will hug you back. She told him that all of the people here love us. Marcus looked a little suspicious and said, “everyone”. She replied “yes, everyone here loves little children, we are safe here. No one thinks we are a burden or in the way. I have not found one person here that has not hugged me”. Marcus said that sounded really good.
She went on to tell Marcus “this is heaven, it is really nice. We have fields of tall grass to run through, trees with leaves we can touch, there is water and waves to play in and look at all of the different colored flowers. We have sets of teletubbies with fresh batteries.” Marcus stopped and said “I thought there were only four teletubbies”. “Silly” she replied, “those little white ones with the wings aren’t teletubbies, those are angels; they are really fun to play with”. Marcus said he thought they would be bigger. She told him there are bigger ones for the boys to play with, but she liked playing with the little ones. She told him to grab “Po”; they had time to go to the swings and the slides before nap time. The two of them ran to heaven’s park as fast as their little legs could carry them; laughing all the way.
Marcus I wish that the adults of this world could have shown you the unconditional love that you are feeling now.
Mike, I’m overwhelmed reading this.
Thank you.
Mr McCarron, you brought me to tears. Beautiful.
I cannot understand how this happened. Yet again another child is killed by people that are supposed to help him and provide for him. My autistic brother Jo Jo was murdered in Feb. of this year. It was clearly the system that let him down.I hope that the facilities that make decisions like the placement of Marcus with these horrible people will be closely scrutinized. I wonder if it is a for Profit agency?
I wish we would all live by the Golden rule: To do unto others as you would have them do unto you. To uplift one another is one the greatest, most satisfying things you can do.
Two other points regarding this story:
Three other children were reportedly in the household while this barbaric crime was taking place. They may need some therapy.
During the time Marcus was listed as missing 2,000 volunteers turned out to search for him. What a wonderful tribute to that community; 2,000 concerned people in one place with one purpose.
Tina, the agency that did the placement, and was monitoring it, is faith-based and was founded/is run by a minister who pays himself $140,000 a year. I read that a few days ago in our local paper, The Cincinnati Enquirer. I remember the article also listed a number of miscellaneous financial “irregularities” the agency had been cited for, but that day’s paper was picked up with the rest of the recycling yesterday, so I don’t have it at my fingertips anymore. Sorry about your brother.
I am speechless by his death, and by Mike’s beautiful words.
I found some links about the agency and posted them last night here, but I don’t think my comment when through…… The agency, Lifeway for Youth, is a non-profit and their website is
http://lfy.org/
They’ve posted a response about Marcus Fiesel’s death at
http://lfy.org/response_webmain.html
The response notes this (the capital letters and boldface are on their website):
“In summary,” the Lifeway for Youth response concludes,
The response ends with a statement from Marcus’ case worker’s last report about him.
It was amazing to read the community’s response to the initial reports of Marcus being missing. I hope he will always be remembered.
god bless little marcus i am exteremly sadden over his death.I live just a hour or so away from where it all happened i went on the search for him i went to the candle light vigils for him and everyone has been betrayed by these evil people how can they lie on tv knowing what really happened to him i watched the news everyday for more infomation on him.i havent slept good in two weeks because i couldnt stop worrying over himAND HOW COULD SHE SIT ON HER COUCH AND SAY WHOEVER MAY HAVE HARMED HIM NEEDS TO BE PUNISHED FOR IT.I AM SO ANGRY I CANT EVEN PUT ALL I WANT TO SAY INTO WORDS RIGHT NOW.i grew up in clermont county where they will stand trial for this and i will be outside the court house every single day to see them up close when the trial starts.god bless you marcus and may you be at peace now and god bless all the other children and adults whos lives where cut short.
Tricia, thank you for writing in here—–if I may ask, what are some of the other people who went on the search for Marcus and who were at the vigils saying now?
I just wanted to let people know that in all likelihood Marcus did not have autism, but rather Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Sadly, one news station here began saying that he was autistic and nobody bothered to verify if this was indeed correct. On the Lifeway for Youth website they refer to a visit that he had with a pediatrician shortly after being placed with the foster family and the pediatrician refers to his FAS, but autism is never mentioned.
Thanks, Mary. While this website is (as its title indicates) specifically devoted to discussion of autism issues, I like as much as possible to write about disabilities more generally, as well as about disability rights. I would certainly say, hearing about a disabled child coming into harm’s way certainly makes me feel the same sense of loss.
I just wanted to thank everyone for keeping marcus “alive.” I have two children of my own and the thought of someone hurting one of them, well it just fills me with a rage I can’t describe. I’m a police officer and I live in Middletown where marcus was from. One thing that amazed me this morning when I picked up the paper to read my “marcus media”, the birth mother of marcus has decided to make a little extra cash on the side. Could this woman be any more pathetic? Does the phrase, “you take him…he’s your problem now” stick in anyone elses mind?! It’s simply sad…..sad that I didn’t love you enough then, but baby I love and miss you now. Give me a break lady. Too bad you didn’t love him enough to clean up that toilet bowl you had him living in…..dwelling in. Everyday I put a new picture of marcus on my screan savor so that no one that walks by my office will ever forget the face of innocence, patience(waiting for someone to love him) and a child that did nothing wrong but be born into a world of hurt, hell and horrible. God love you marcus fiesel! you will never hurt again. Thank you for this website….his voice will forever be heard.
In the world we live in today it is paramount to protect our own. THis is an example of how we have failed. I can’t imagine what Marcus was thinking as he sat in that closet. Can any of you imagine what you would be thinking? I think the way we can keep Marcus alive is to make better assessment tools to screen foster parents. How did these horrific people become foster parents? It is time to make a stand to protect our own!!!! AS for the mother, even if she receives a monetary settlement for Marcus, she is still the poorest person in the world because she will never never hug or kiss her child again, and there is no amount of money in the world that could buy the uncoditional love of a child. So she still loses.
Well now we see how some people really feel about Children…cash flow. It seem that a precious life has been snuffed out. It was taken by people more in love with money that the life of a child. We as adults have a responsability to care for the young either our children or others. We are to give them love security and support. Marcus will forever be in my heart as one that was let down. He will forevermore be in a place that will give him love and care. That was one thing that those here failed to do. God bless you and keep you Marcus
I fail to see how trying to accurately describe Marcus’ disability could be mistake for implying that his death would be any less of a loss to anyone. My point was that accuracy matters and his disabilities were entirely preventable. I will refrain from posting unless I have some schmaltzy badly-written story to tell or some ridiuculous talk about angels, heaven, and Jesus.
Mary, I did not mean to imply anything other than thanks for your clarification—-my profoundest apologies. Accuracy more than matters and I think your pointing out Marcus’ actual diagnosis is very important. I would more than appreciate knowing any more information or links that you have about this.
I welcome, and more than appreciate, all comments on Autism Vox. Clarifications, corrections, and critique are always welcome.
Dear Sheoki, Jennifer, and Will, Reading about what happened to Marcus not only in August but earlier this year left me speechless at first—–so much suffering, such a young life. We have indeed failed in protecting one of our own here. May Marcus always be remembered.
well they ALL feel pretrayed and they are so angry about this everyone was crying at the last vigil and they all wish this couple would get the death penaty and so do i.how could they sit there and act like they where concerned when all along he was dead and they knew it.it takes a pretty cold hearted person to do this.i have been staying close to some of the people there and everyone its amazing how the community came together for this child i wonder what is running thru their minds right now sitting in jail i really hope its eating at them.my brother in law whent to school with david and he said it did not surprise him at all that he killed this child he said he was a real nut case in school.my heart aches so much for this boy how could they leave that house knowing what they did ?they are monsters.i cry everynight for him and my 10 yr old who is high functioning autism is also very upset over this and i am comforting her everyday.and helping her thru this.everyone is going to be at the courthouse when they go to trial we have been talking about it.they have set up a fund to raise money for a play ground in his name.
What bank and in what city has the fund setup for the playground? I would like to contribute.
I have a baby boy her turned 2 on August 3rd. It’s so hard for me to think that while I’m celebrating my sons birthday, someone out there was trying to end another baby boys’ life. I hope those 2 evil human beings are getting what they deserve where ever they are locked up. I’d rather them avoid the death penalty and get beaten by other inmates everyday of the rest of their lives.
On another note…
Does anyone have pictures of Marcus and or videos? I’m trying to collect as many pictures of Marcus as I can for a video project. I’d like to create a memorial video with pictures/videos of Marcus with the song “Angels among us” by Alabama. I’d like to create something where Marcus will never be forgotten.
Please email your pictures to frank@fwkvideo.com.
Thank you,
Frank
Thanks, Frank! I’m going to put up a post mentioning your video project, if that is all right.
Thank you Kristina. That would be great.
Just a quick note on FAS: Many of the symptoms of FAS (especially in young children) are similar to those of autism. Eventually, these children often develop Oppositional Defiance Disorder. It is extremely difficult to help kids with FAS, but I know that it is possible. FAS and autism can also co-occur. For all we know, Marcus could have ended up with a dual diagnosis. Regardless of Marcus’ actual diagnosis, he didn’t deserve to be killed.
Thanks, Jannalou, for the clarification of Mary’s clarification—both more than appreciated.
Mary, I was taken aback that your were so upset after posting your first comment. Knowing that Marcus may not have had autism is important. I thank you for that information. And I pray that someday you will know Jesus and you will be with the angels. May God bless you.
Frank: Fifth Third Bank in Cincinnati has an account for donations to the playground in memory of Marcus Fiesel.
I live in Clermont County, Ohio, and I pray that I am picked for the jury of the trial against the Carrolls. What a horrific life this little boy had, and then in death…..it makes me sick. And for the biological mother, she’ll probably win millions against the foster agency and Butler County social services…..and she doesn’t deserve a dime. I think that during last week’s press conference, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters said it perfectly….the Carrolls fostered Marcus for the money, and it’s a shame that people will continue to try to make money off of him due to his death.
Thank you, Brenda, for your words…..thank you, Staci, for the information—-I think the title of Rick McCrabb’s column (Sept. 2) says a lot: “We cared too late.” The facts of Marcus’ short life are beyond sad.
Too Young and Too Innocent to Die
This page is in memory of children died of neglect or abuse while under the care of the social service agencies! – http://suncanaa.com/
-Sadistic and criminal aren’t words usually associated with social workers. But they come to mind while reading the results of a yearlong investigation into a child-protection bureaucracy that was allowed to go rogue. Social workers gave each other nicknames like “The Queen of Removal” and “Terminator” and laughed as they stripped children from their parents! –
In the name of “child protection” children have been beaten. In the name of “children’s rights” children have been raped. And in the name of “erring on the side of the child,” children have been murdered.
Those Children Were Failed by the System ! Please, don’t wait for new name on this page. http://suncanaa.com/
In The Name of Those Children
We are asking For:
-Victims of Child Welfare Memorial Day-
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/986173347
Please spread the word and forward this email to your friends and family members.
Please Remember Us
http://protected-to-death-by-cps.memory-of.com/
A poem for Marcus, this child touched my heart!
“Come Home”
“Welcome home” Jesus said,
To the little boy.
Come sit next to me,
And tell me a story.
The boy sat down,
With tears in his eyes.
Nobody heard me,
They covered my cries.
It was dark in there,
And I was scared.
I couldn’t move, couldn’t eat,
But they didn’t care.
They tied me up Jesus,
And left me to die.
They went to their gathering,
And left me behind.
I was a good boy,
I don’t understand.
Now I’ll never grow up,
And become a man.
Jesus just sat there,
And shook his head.
It’s ok Marcus,
You’ll stay with me instead.
You can be an angel,
And watch over the world.
Make sure this doesn’t happen,
To another boy or girl.
You did nothing wrong,
It wasn’t your fault.
Everything will be alright,
They’ve already been caught.
Tell your mommy you love her,
When she’s deep into her dreams.
Now they’ll look closer,
Because some aren’t what they seem.
Marcus shook his head,
Wiped the tears from his eyes.
They walked into the light,
Hand in hand, side by side.
In memory of Marcus Fiesel Heavens newest Angel!
Jennifer Schroeder
Newport, Kentucky
Mike,
Thank you for this. I have fantasies of taking this baby in my arms and loving him like a mother should. It just gives me nightmares to think how these monsters did this to an innocent little baby.
Sandy
What is the deal with Amy Baker? It makes me sick to my stomach to think she is not held accountable for her actions. Could someone please explain this to me? Thanks
Amy Baker was the person who first came forward about what happened in the Carrol house. According to what I’ve heard in the media, everything she has told the police and prosecutors from the time she first came forward has checked out. I’m sure in a perfect world, the prosecuters would not have offered her immunity, and they have said she is no saint.
What happened to Marcus is ultimately the foster parent’s responsibilty.
Also, many others in Cincinnati are not happy with Amy Baker’s immunity deal.
http://www.wlwt.com/news/11441784/detail.html?rss=cin&psp=news
I just came across a story and a picture of Marcus. When I saw that beautiful, little face, I began to cry and still have not stopped. Although I did not know Marcus, I am heartbroken over his short, sad life. I am so outraged at how he slipped through the system and cannot help but think how many other children have and will continue to be victims of people who should be caring for them. I was a police officer for four years and can attest that child protective services in my county (San Mateo Co., California) are complete morons. Their main goal was reuniting the child with parent no matter how bad the child was treated by them. Rest in peace Marcus, you are with the angels now.