A local business owner saw him and called police. Detectives discovered a pattern of violence the child allegedly endured over several years.
"He had multiple abrasions and small cuts, welts on his body, newer and old bruising, as well as blood on his face from his mouth, from being struck on his mouth. He also had dish soap poured all over him, including on his mouth and his ears," said Fox Lake Police Sgt. Rick Howell.
Pricilla Marshall, 34, and Cody Marion, 35, are behind bars in Lake County Jail on Monday. Marion was ordered held pending his trial on charges of aggravated battery, domestic battery and endangering the life of a child.
The abuse was, according to Fox Lake police, uncovered on Friday, when the boy ran into a local flower shop.
"The employee told us an 11-year-old boy had come in, asking for help. He was only in his underwear with blood on his face, bruises, scratches on his body, saying that his mother was abusing him," Howell said.
Upon going to the family's home, which is an apartment in the 30-block of East Grand Avenue, around the corner from the business in downtown Fox Lake, police said they found two more children, 1-year-old and 2-year-old girls. Two more boys, 7 and 12, were at school.
"He's been the brunt of the abuse. None of the other siblings that we've been able to find have been abused at all. Physical abuse from hitting striking with closed fists, open hand, extension cords, kitchen utensils like spatulas, things like that," Howell said. "It was pretty horrific hearing the children talking a bout it when they were being interviewed."
The children were all taken into protective custody and are now staying with other relatives.
"When she's in a rage, she would leave that front door. You can see it from here. She'd leave that door open. You could hear her screaming. My window is there second floor. I can hear her yelling at them kids," said neighbor Daniel Bitterman.
While the Marion's detention hearing was held Monday, Marshall is up for hers on Tuesday afternoon.