Madison Marshall, the mother of 1-year-old Oaklee Snow, who was tragically found dead in an abandoned dresser drawer in Indiana, has been sentenced to decades in prison for her role in the brutal death of her daughter.
Marion County Circuit Judge Jennifer Prinz Harrison sentenced Marshall, 25, to 25 years for neglect of a dependent resulting in death and two years for placing the dependent in a dangerous situation, with the terms running concurrently.
A Heartbreaking Tale of Abuse and Neglect
Marshall reached a plea deal in April 2023, agreeing to testify against her boyfriend, Roan Waters, in exchange for a reduced sentence. However, Waters, 28, ultimately pleaded guilty to three counts of neglect of a dependent and was sentenced to 45 years in prison on Friday.
Oaklee’s heartbreaking story began in January 2023, when Marshall and Waters took the young girl and her 7-month-old brother from Oklahoma to Indianapolis without permission from their father, Zachary Snow.
While the boy was later found abandoned and returned to his father, Oaklee’s fate remained unknown until months later, when her body was discovered in a deserted Morgantown home.
The Day Oaklee Died
Marshall, in custody, led investigators to the home where her daughter’s lifeless body was found stuffed in the bottom drawer of a dresser.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Marshall told police that Waters often “whooped” Oaklee for perceived misbehaviors and even choked the young girl. The final tragic day of Oaklee’s life, Marshall said, occurred on February 9, 2023.
Marshall recalled hearing Waters repeatedly yelling at Oaklee to bounce on an inflatable rubber ball. After the fifth loud command, Marshall entered the room and witnessed Waters standing over Oaklee.
Minutes later, she heard Waters scream for her daughter, and when Marshall saw him holding Oaklee in his arms, she noticed her daughter wasn’t moving. Oaklee appeared to be struggling to breathe, with blood and spittle coming from her mouth, and her eyes remained closed.
A Mother’s Heartbreaking Realization
Despite the severe condition of her daughter, Waters refused to let Marshall call 911. Instead, he wrapped Oaklee’s body in a blanket and placed her in the backseat of his car. Marshall, who was reportedly hysterical, later checked on her daughter and found that Oaklee had stopped breathing.
Her lips had turned blue, and her skin was cool to the touch. Marshall also could not feel a heartbeat. Despite her attempts to check for life, Oaklee’s death had likely occurred by this time.
Marshall later led authorities to an abandoned house, where Waters disposed of Oaklee’s body by stuffing it in the dresser. Investigators discovered the toddler’s remains, noting that her left leg was severely broken, and her body showed signs of abuse and neglect.
The Aftermath and Legal Consequences
Marshall’s decision to cooperate with law enforcement and testify against Waters was part of her plea deal, though Waters eventually pleaded guilty to neglect charges. Oaklee’s death was officially ruled a homicide by the Morgan County Coroner’s Office in June 2023.
Marshall and Waters were both arrested and extradited back to Indiana after being apprehended in Colorado earlier that year.
Reflection on a Tragic Case
This case sheds light on the horrifying abuse and neglect suffered by Oaklee Snow. The sentencing of both Marshall and Waters serves as a reminder of the devastating impact of child abuse and neglect, and the responsibility adults have to protect the vulnerable.
The loss of Oaklee, at just 1 year old, is a tragic example of how the failure of caregivers can lead to irreversible harm.
Marshall will serve time for her role in the tragic events that led to Oaklee’s death, while Waters faces a much longer sentence for his role in the abuse and neglect of the child.
