From domestic battery to accusations of attempted murder: the criminal history of man accused of leaving baby in dumpster

photo by: Conrad Swanson

Crime scene tape marks off an apartment at a complex in the 2500 block of Sixth Street, where police say an infant was found in a trash receptacle early Thursday, July 7, 2016.

Two days before his infant stepdaughter was found in an apartment complex’s trash, Marquis Young was sentenced to six months of probation for battering the baby’s mother, his wife.

Now, the infant is out of the hospital and in the state’s custody while Young is accused of attempted murder.

Currently held in a nearby jail, Young, 27, of Lawrence, will face felony attempted first-degree murder and child abuse charges, police say.

photo by: Conrad Swanson

Marquis Young

The upcoming felony charges will not be Young’s first. A review of his criminal history shows multiple offenses involving physical violence and destructive behavior.

The following is a brief summary of Young’s criminal record, according to court documents filed in Johnson County District Court:

• On Nov. 3, 2010, Young was arrested in Johnson County on suspicion of domestic battery and criminal damage. He was accused of causing “bodily harm” or “physical contact” with a person he shared a home with in Olathe. He was also accused of damaging a phone, valued at less than $1,000.

Two months later, Young pleaded guilty to battery; prosecutors agreed to drop the domestic battery and criminal damage charges. That day he was sentenced to a year of probation.

photo by: Conrad Swanson

Sheena Young

• Young was arrested again in Johnson County on July 19, 2012. This time on suspicion of felony interference with law enforcement. Nearly two months later he pleaded guilty to felony obstruction and was sentenced to another year of probation.

• Once more, Young was arrested on May 7, 2013, on suspicion of felony aggravated kidnapping and aggravated battery. He was accused of confining a woman by “force, threat or deception” and inflicting “bodily harm” with a deadly weapon.”

Young pleaded guilty to felony aggravated battery; prosecutors dropped the aggravated kidnapping charge. The conviction was considered a violation of his probation regarding the felony obstruction conviction. He was sentenced to serve more than a year in jail for the offenses.

Young was released from prison in the summer of 2015, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

He was arrested in Douglas County this spring.

On Feb. 4, 2016, the infant’s mother, Sheena Young — then Sheena Hale — married Marquis Young, according to court documents filed in Douglas County District Court.

Marquis Young was arrested less than two weeks after the marriage for battering his new wife, court documents say. He pleaded guilty to the crime and on July 5 he was sentenced to six months of probation, which included the completion of Veterans Affairs classes on anger control and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Two days later Marquis Young’s 9-month-old stepdaughter was found in a trash receptacle at an apartment complex in the 2500 block of West Sixth Street.

Police did not say exactly where the baby girl was found, though multiple complex residents said they share a centalized dumpster that also compacts trash.

The infant, who suffered life-threatening injuries, was treated at a Kansas City-area hospital and released nearly two weeks later.

Lawrence Police Sgt. Amy Rhoads said the infant is in the state’s custody and will continue to receive outpatient treatment for her injuries.

Now, with Marquis Young’s pending charges in Douglas County and two recent arrests, prosecutors are claiming he violated the terms of his probation regarding his most recent battery conviction.

On July 13, both Marquis and Sheena Young were arrested in Jefferson County, on suspicion of disorderly conduct at Perry Lake.

The couple were accused of arguing and being disorderly after being warned by deputies to “straighten up,” said Jefferson County Sheriff Jeffrey Herrig.

Both Marquis and Sheena Young were released from Jefferson County Jail after each posted a $3,000 bond.

Ten days later, Marquis Young was arrested once more. He is accused of battering Sheena Young on July 22 in Lenexa, according to a criminal complaint filed in Johnson County District Court. He is currently held in the Johnson County Jail.

Douglas County District Attorney representatives could not immediately say when Marquis Young would be transferred to Lawrence to face the felony charges.

Marquis Young is next scheduled to appear in Johnson County District Court regarding the domestic battery charge at 11:30 a.m. on Aug. 10.

Police say they have no information to believe anyone else was involved in the incident regarding the 9-month-old girl.