Indiana – In a deeply disturbing and heartbreaking case, a 25-year-old mother, M. Marshall, has pleaded guilty to her role in the tragic death of her nearly 2-year-old daughter, Oaklee. The case has shocked people across the state and drawn attention to the horrifying impact of domestic violence and child abuse.
Marshall admitted in court that she knew her boyfriend, R. Waters, was physically abusing Oaklee, and yet she did nothing to protect her child. Even worse, after Oaklee’s death, Marshall helped cover up the crime.
What Happened to Oaklee?
The events started in January 2023, when Marshall and her boyfriend illegally took Oaklee and her 7-month-old brother from their biological father in Oklahoma and fled to Indiana.
Over the next few weeks, Waters repeatedly beat Oaklee, according to police and court records. Marshall told investigators that her boyfriend would punish the child for normal toddler behavior, including not eating quickly enough. Oaklee had become so scared, she began refusing food.
On February 9, 2023, things turned deadly. Marshall said she heard Waters shouting at Oaklee, telling her to bounce on a rubber ball. Later, she found Waters holding Oaklee’s lifeless body. She tried to splash cold water on the toddler’s face, but it was too late. When Marshall tried to call 911, Waters stopped her and took control of the situation.
A Gruesome Cover-Up
Instead of reporting the death, the couple wrapped Oaklee’s body in a blanket, drove to an abandoned house, and hid her remains in a closet. It wasn’t until months later, in April 2023, that Marshall told police where to find her daughter.
Investigators found Oaklee’s body stuffed in a drawer, with her leg broken and folded unnaturally—an attempt to hide her more easily. The county coroner later ruled her death as a homicide of unspecified means.
Legal Charges and Plea Deal
Marshall was charged with:
- Neglect of a dependent resulting in death
- Neglect of a dependent
She pleaded guilty to both. According to the plea deal:
- She will serve 25 years for the fatal neglect
- She will serve 2 years for the additional neglect
- Both sentences will run at the same time (concurrently)
In return for this reduced sentence, Marshall has agreed to testify against her boyfriend, R. Waters, who is facing murder and multiple other charges. His trial is scheduled to begin on May 12, 2025. If Marshall does not cooperate fully, prosecutors may cancel the plea deal and bring back the original, more serious charges.
Oaklee’s Family Left in Grief
Oaklee’s father has been left devastated, mourning the loss of his daughter. After the couple’s arrest, Oaklee’s baby brother was found abandoned in a drug house, but has since been reunited with his father.
This case highlights the tragic failure of a mother to protect her own child, and the devastating effects that abuse and neglect can have on innocent lives. The legal process is moving forward, but the emotional pain for Oaklee’s family will remain forever.