Lake County mother, boyfriend charged in death of 8-year-old boy

A Lake County couple has been charged with murder and child endangerment after an 8-year-old boy found in their home Friday died.

Round Lake Beach police were called for an unresponsive child about 2 p.m. to their home in the 1900 block of Cedar Lake Road, police said.

They found the boy and performed CPR until paramedics arrived. The boy was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said.

Preliminary autopsy findings indicated the boy suffered from malnourishment and physical abuse, police said.

The boy’s 10-year-old brother was hospitalized after speaking with the Lake County Children's Advocacy Center, which determined he also showed signs of abuse and malnourishment. Their step-sibling, a 3-year-old boy, also lived at the home and was placed in the care of the state Department of Children and Family Services, police said.

The children’s mother, Dominique Servant, 33, and her boyfriend, Joey Ruffin, 38, were taken into custody Friday night, police said. Both are charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of child endangerment causing death.

Authorities are attempting to contact the children's biological father, police said.

Servant and Ruffin are due in court Sunday morning.