Stepfather of infant found in trash faces attempted murder, abuse charges

photo by: Mike Yoder

Law enforcement officers stand guard at an apartment complex in the 2500 block of West Sixth Street, where police say an infant was found in a trash receptacle early Thursday, July 7, 2016.

Nearly three weeks after an infant girl was found abandoned and seriously injured in an apartment complex’s trash, police say the child’s stepfather will face criminal charges.

Marquis Jamall Young, 27, of Lawrence, will face charges of attempted first-degree murder and child abuse, said Lawrence Police Department Sgt. Amy Rhoads on Tuesday.

Young is currently being held in the Johnson County Jail on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic battery, according to the jail’s booking logs. He was booked into the jail on Sunday and is currently held in lieu of a $20,000 bond.

photo by: Mike Yoder

Marquis Young

In the early morning hours of July 7, police received a report that a 9-month-old infant girl was left in a trash receptacle at an apartment complex in the 2500 block of West Sixth Street.

The apartments within the complex are owned and managed by Country Club on 6th.

Police did not clarify precisely where the baby girl was found, though multiple complex residents said the apartments all share a centralized dumpster, which also compacts trash.

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

Rhoads said the baby girl is in the state’s custody and will continue to receive outpatient treatment for her injuries.

On July 13, Young was arrested alongside his wife — who is also the infant’s mother — Sheena Young, on suspicion of disorderly conduct at Perry Lake.

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

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

Marquis Young was then arrested in Johnson County after he was accused of battering Sheena Young the day before in Lenexa, according to a criminal complaint filed in Johnson County District Court.

Although he currently remains in the custody of the Johnson County Jail, Rhoads said Marquis Young will be brought to Douglas County to face the attempted murder and child abuse charges.

A representative of the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office said information regarding when or how Marquis Young will be transferred to Douglas County was not available.

Rhoads said police have no information to believe anyone else was involved in the incident.

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