JUSTICE for KAIRISSA MARK

Dr. Deborah Mark, a pediatrician, of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, is charged with first degree murder and multiple counts of child abuse in connection to the death of her four-year-old daughter, Kairissa Mark, in July 2010. Steven Mark is charged with multiple counts of child abuse. Kairissa was adopted from China. Less than 90 days after the Marks adopted her, she was dead. Kairissa had severe bruising and Mt. Juliet police said the case of child abuse was one of the worst they had seen.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Steven Mark called Kairissa a "devil child"

In testimony Tuesday, the defense told jurors Deborah Mark loved her daughter despite the child's serious behavioral and medical problems, according to WKRN News 2.

Attorney Jack Lowery told the courtroom on the night of June 30, 2010 Mark didn't mean to hurt the little girl and was only trying to help her.

He also laid the ground work to place blame on Steven Mark, who is also charged with murder and child abuse in the case.

On Wednesday, Lowery said Steven Mark called their adoption agency one day before Kairissa died to complain about her behavior, even calling her a "devil child."