Daycare Director Warned DCFS Before 8-Year-Old's Death

Carrie Pinske says she noticed troubling signs in Markell Pierce months before his death, but the boy and his sister were pulled from care just days after she spoke to DCFS.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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A daycare director in Round Lake Beach, Illinois says she noticed warning signs while caring for 8-year-old Markell Pierce, including constant hunger and patches of missing hair, and shared those concerns with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Markell was found unresponsive inside his home last Friday, and his mother and her boyfriend are now charged with first-degree murder and child endangerment, accused of long-term abuse. The daycare director says Markell and his sister were pulled from care just days after she spoke with DCFS, while the agency says the family was not receiving services at the time and details are limited due to the active investigation.

Why it matters

This case raises questions about whether warning signs were missed and if more could have been done to protect Markell. It highlights the challenges child welfare agencies face in identifying and intervening in cases of suspected abuse, especially when families disengage from services. The daycare director's account suggests opportunities for earlier intervention may have been lost.

The details

Carrie Pinske, the daycare director, says Markell and his sister were enrolled at her facility from January through April of 2025. She noticed Markell was always hungry, often eating three or four times a day, and had concerning patches of missing hair on the back of his head. Pinske says she contacted DCFS with her observations, and the agency later reached out to her directly. She recounts one incident where Markell's mother grabbed a snack from the table and told him 'Don't act like you're not fed' as they were leaving. Just three days after Pinske spoke with DCFS, Markell and his sister were abruptly pulled from the daycare, allegedly because their mother was 'sick' of repeated calls to the agency.

  • Markell and his sister were enrolled at the daycare from January through April of 2025.
  • Pinske contacted DCFS with her concerns about Markell.
  • DCFS later reached out to Pinske directly.
  • Markell and his sister were pulled from the daycare just three days after Pinske spoke with DCFS.
  • Markell was found unresponsive inside his home on Friday, February 7, 2026.

The players

Carrie Pinske

The director of the daycare where Markell and his sister were enrolled, who noticed troubling signs in Markell and reported her concerns to DCFS.

Markell Pierce

The 8-year-old boy who was found unresponsive in his home and later died, with his mother and her boyfriend charged with his murder.

Dominique Servant

Markell's 33-year-old mother, who has been charged with first-degree murder and child endangerment along with her boyfriend.

Joey L. Ruffin

The 38-year-old boyfriend of Markell's mother, who has also been charged with first-degree murder and child endangerment.

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)

The state agency that Pinske says she contacted with concerns about Markell, though the agency claims the family was not receiving services at the time of his death.

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What they’re saying

“We have good portions, and they'd have first and seconds and thirds. One of the red flags was as they were leaving they had another snack. What was strange is mom would grab it and throw it on the table and said 'Don't act like you're not fed' and he'd put his head down and walk down the hallway with her.”

— Carrie Pinske, Daycare Director (FOX32 Chicago)

“The death of a child is profoundly heartbreaking, especially when the alleged perpetrators are the ones that are supposed to protect and care for the child.”

— DCFS Spokesperson (FOX32 Chicago)

“Markell's death was preventable, and investigators are continuing to work toward accountability.”

— Eric Rinehart, Lake County State's Attorney (FOX32 Chicago)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Dominique Servant and Joey L. Ruffin to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the critical role daycare providers and other community members can play in identifying and reporting suspected child abuse, as well as the challenges child welfare agencies face in intervening effectively. It underscores the need for stronger coordination and information-sharing between these systems to prevent such devastating outcomes.