Mother and boyfriend charged with murder in death of 8-year-old boy

Prosecutors say the child was beaten, malnourished, and forced into a cold shower before dying in their Round Lake Beach apartment

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Dominique Servant, 33, and her boyfriend Joey L. Ruffin, 38, have been charged with first-degree murder and child endangerment in the death of Servant's 8-year-old son. Prosecutors say the boy was beaten with a belt, malnourished for several days, and forced into a cold shower by Ruffin before being found unresponsive and dying at their apartment in Round Lake Beach, Illinois.

Why it matters

This tragic case highlights the ongoing issue of child abuse and neglect, and the need for greater awareness and reporting of suspected abuse. It also raises questions about how to better protect vulnerable children and hold abusers accountable.

The details

According to prosecutors, on Friday, Ruffin hit the boy with a belt multiple times throughout the day. At some point, Ruffin noticed the boy was sluggish, so he put him in a cold shower. Later, the boy fell over and became unresponsive. Ruffin attempted CPR and called Servant, who told him to call 911. Investigators later found videos on Ruffin's phone showing him punishing the boy, including one from just over an hour before the 911 call that showed the boy shirtless with bruises on his body.

  • On Friday, Ruffin hit the boy with a belt multiple times throughout the day.
  • At some point on Friday, Ruffin put the boy in a cold shower after noticing he was sluggish.
  • Later on Friday, the boy fell over and became unresponsive.

The players

Dominique Servant

The 33-year-old mother of the 8-year-old boy who was charged with first-degree murder and child endangerment.

Joey L. Ruffin

The 38-year-old boyfriend of Dominique Servant who was charged with first-degree murder and child endangerment.

Lake County Major Crime Task Force

The task force that assisted the Round Lake Beach Police Department in the investigation.

Lake County State's Attorney Eric Rinehart

The state's attorney who called the crime a "horrific" and "preventable" tragedy.

Round Lake Beach Police Chief Ryan Rodriguez

The police chief who said the community is grieving the tragic loss of the 8-year-old child.

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What they’re saying

“This eight-year old child should still be alive, and this horrific crime was preventable. In light of the ongoing nature of this investigation, the moral mandate that we secure justice, and the need to hold every responsible party accountable, we will be providing limited information prior to a full presentment of charges to the grand jury.”

— Lake County State's Attorney Eric Rinehart

“The tragic loss of an eight-year-old child has shaken us to our core. There are simply no words that can fully capture the heartbreak we feel as parents, neighbors, friends, and as a police department.”

— Round Lake Beach Police Chief Ryan Rodriguez (Round Lake Beach Police Department Facebook page)

What’s next

The judge granted the prosecutors' petition to deny Servant and Ruffin's pre-trial release. Their detention hearings are scheduled for Monday afternoon.

The takeaway

This horrific case underscores the urgent need for greater awareness, reporting, and action to protect vulnerable children from abuse and neglect. It also raises questions about how to better support families in crisis and hold abusers fully accountable for their actions.