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The Death of Mark A. Norris, Jr: Was fire a cover-up for his death?

2005
January 7: Mark Norris' Father Sues State Over Son's Neglect Death
2004
November 8: Caseworker Pleads Guilty Of Falsifying Records In Norris Case
May 25: Trial Date Set For CPS Caseworker In Norris Neglect Case
March 3: Jennifer Norris Sentenced To Nine Years For Son's Neglect Death
January 7: Jennifer Norris Pleads Guilty In Son's Death
2003
December 23: Judge Asked to Dismiss Case Against Anderson Social Worker Associated Press
May 3: Jennifer Norris Jailed As Flight Risk
February 14: Mother arrested on neglect charge
February 14: No charges filed yet against CPS
February 7: Fire Was Set To Cover-up Boy's Neglect Death, Prosecutor Says

Fire Was Set To Cover-up Boy's Neglect Death, Prosecutor Says
By Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express
February 7, 2003

ELWOOD, INDIANA--On January 21, firefighters responding to a house fire in Elwood found the burned body of 8-year-old Mark Adrian Norris II.

Officials believed at first that the boy, who had cerebral palsy and epilepsy and used a wheelchair, died in the blaze that consumed his family's single-story home.

But autopsy results tell a different story: The county coroner confirmed Friday that Mark died of pneumonia at least one day before the fire.

During a press conference Madison County Coroner Marian Dunnichay said there was no smoke in Mark's breathing passages, indicating that he was not breathing at the time of the fire. The autopsy also showed signs of malnourishment, extensive muscle deterioration and several bedsores. Additionally, toxicology tests found no traces of the medication Mark should have received to control his seizures.

Prosecutor Rodney Cummings said Jennifer Norris, Mark's mother, is suspected of letting her son die and then setting the fire to conceal the real cause of his death.

"The child died, and at some point -- probably a day or two before the fire was set -- the mother discovered her child had died, and the fire occurred as a mechanism to cover up the death -- that's what I suspect probably happened," Cummings explained.

Mark's mother, his 1-year-old sister and 5-year-old brother all escaped from the fire unharmed.

Cummings said he is considering filing neglect and reckless homicide charges against Jennifer Norris.

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Mother arrested on neglect charge
February 14, 2003
ELWOOD, INDIANA--Authorities arrested a mother Thursday morning who is accused of starving her 8-year-old son and eventually letting him die of pneumonia.

Jennifer L. Norris, 26, walked quietly from the two-story home, looking dejected and not saying a word as police led her handcuffed to an unmarked squad car.

Mark Adrian Norris II died Jan. 20 in his bed. The next day, fire investigators speculate, the 1618 South D St. home was set on fire to cover up the boy's death. Jennifer Norris is not currently being charged with arson.
http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/cgi-bin/LiveIQue.acgi$rec=39007?hb_story

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No charges filed yet against CPS
February 14, 2003
ELWOOD, INDIANA--The Madison County prosecutor continues to consider the filing of criminal charges against two employees with Child Protective Service in the death of Mark A. Norris.

If charges are filed against the caseworkers, it will be the first time in the country that such workers have faced criminal charges.
http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/cgi-bin/LiveIQue.acgi$rec=39008?hb_story

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Jennifer Norris Jailed As Flight Risk
By Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express
May 5, 2003

ELWOOD, INDIANA-Jennifer Norris is back in jail on neglect charges after a judge determined last week that she was a flight risk.

Norris, 26, is accused of neglect of a dependent person, her son Mark A. Norris Jr., who had cerebral palsy and a seizure disorder and used a wheelchair. Police believe Mrs. Norris may have set the family home ablaze to cover up her son's death, then escaped with her other two children.

The 8-year-old's body was found by firefighters in the burned rubble January 21. Autopsy results later showed that the boy had died at least one day before the blaze. He also had signs of malnourishment, extensive muscle deterioration and several bedsores. There was no trace in Mark's blood of the medication he needed to control his seizures.

Norris was arrested and jailed on February 13. Six days later posted a $50,000 bond through Bankers Insurance and was released.

Last Thursday, Bankers Insurance claimed they had information leading them to believe Norris planned to leave the state to avoid prosecution. The judge then revoked Norris' bond and she was picked up Friday.

Related article:
"Norris back in jail after flight risk feared" (The Herald Bulletin)

http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/cgi-bin/LiveIQue.acgi$rec=43684?hb_story

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