WASHINGTON — The man accused of murdering his foster son by placing him in a scalding bath is now being allowed out on bond, but he will have to stay away from his own children unless he is supervised.
David Marcussen, 33, had been behind bars in Stafford County since he turned himself in Friday after being indicted on a charge of murder, child cruelty and other charges connected to the death of Ka’Ron Mason.
Ka’Ron was taken to the hospital with burns in early January, and he died a few weeks later, shortly after his first birthday.
WTVR-TV reports Marcussen’s wife testified at her husband’s bond hearing Thursday in Stafford County Circuit Court. She said Ka’Ron did not have such serious burns when he initially was taken to the hospital.
She was not home when the burns happened.
Prosecutors say Ka’Ron got a drug-resistant infection in the hospital that made things worse.
Also, WTVR reports Marcussen’s attorney argued Ka’Ron was burned by shampoo used during the bath, not by water that was too hot. Prosecutors say an expert witness will dispute that.
A judge granted Marcussen $75,000 bond, but ordered him to stay away his own 2-year-old and 6-year-old children unless he is supervised, and to stay away from all other children entirely.
Two people who had helped Ka’Ron before Fredericksburg’s Department of Social Services placed him in Marcussen’s home last summer tell WTOP they are “devastated” by Ka’Ron’s death.
The department took custody of Ka’Ron shortly after he was born.
A statement issued Wednesday, when the indictment was announced, says all Fredericksburg foster parents pass “stringent selection and training criteria” that includes an application process, background checks, signed agreements, personal references and a 30-hour training course.
Marcussen is scheduled to be arraigned May 26.
Watch the WTVR report:
