Madison Marshall, 25, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for her involvement in the brutal death of her 1-year-old daughter, Oaklee Snow. The case, which shocked Indiana, led to Marshall’s guilty plea in April 2023.
She admitted to one count of neglect of a dependent resulting in death and another count of neglect by placing her daughter in a dangerous situation. Her sentence will see the two terms run concurrently, meaning she will serve a total of 25 years.
A Deal with Prosecutors
As part of her plea agreement, Marshall cooperated with authorities and was expected to testify against her boyfriend, Roan Waters, in his trial for Oaklee’s murder. However, Waters, 28, chose to plead guilty to three counts of neglect of a dependent, which led to his 45-year prison sentence on the same day as Marshall’s.
The prosecutors condemned the actions of both adults, with Marion County Prosecutor’s Office Chief Trial Deputy Dan Chicchini calling their neglect “terrifying,” adding that they had been entrusted with the care of the child and failed miserably.
The Story of Oaklee Snow’s Death
The tragic events began in January 2023, when Madison Marshall and Waters took Oaklee and her 7-month-old brother from their father’s home in Oklahoma without permission. The couple fled to Indianapolis, Indiana, where they stayed at Waters’ mother’s house. The details surrounding Oaklee’s death remain unclear, but it is believed that she was killed in February 2023.
Marshall and Waters left the children in a dangerous situation, with Oaklee enduring horrific abuse. According to Marshall’s statements to investigators, Waters would regularly discipline Oaklee by “whooping” her for minor misbehaviors, such as holding a fork wrong or urinating in her diaper.
At one point, Waters allegedly choked Oaklee during these disciplinary actions. Marshall further described how Oaklee had stopped eating because Waters was aggressive toward her when she failed to eat at the pace he wanted.
The Day of Oaklee’s Death
On February 9, 2023, Marshall overheard Waters repeatedly yelling at Oaklee to bounce on an inflatable ball. After several attempts, Marshall went to check on them and saw Waters standing over Oaklee, who was struggling to bounce on the ball.
When Marshall left the room briefly, she heard Waters scream for Oaklee. When she ran to him, she found Waters holding the child, who was unresponsive.
Marshall noticed that Oaklee wasn’t moving and seemed to be in a state of distress, with blood and spittle coming from her mouth. Despite Oaklee’s obvious condition, Waters prevented Marshall from calling 911. Instead, he wrapped the girl’s body in a blanket and placed it in the back of the car. Marshall later confirmed that Oaklee was no longer breathing and that her lips had turned blue.
The Discovery of Oaklee’s Body
In April 2023, Marshall, now in police custody, led authorities to a secluded house in Morgantown, where Oaklee’s decomposed body was found stuffed inside a dresser. Her left leg was broken, and her body was in a state of severe deterioration. The coroner later determined that Oaklee died due to homicide, though the exact cause was unspecified.
Waters’ Conviction and Sentencing
Roan Waters, who had been arrested in Colorado and extradited back to Indiana, pleaded guilty to three counts of neglect of a dependent in September 2023. He was sentenced to 45 years in prison for his role in the death of Oaklee Snow.
Prosecutors made it clear that the severity of the crime warranted lengthy prison sentences for both Waters and Marshall, emphasizing that the pair’s actions led to the tragic and preventable death of a helpless child.
The Emotional Impact and Final Words
In the aftermath of the sentencing, prosecutors expressed their outrage and sorrow for Oaklee’s suffering. Dan Chicchini, representing the prosecution, commented on the case, saying, “The fact that two adults who had the care of this child would let these things happen to her and do these things to her is just terrifying.”
The case has left a deep emotional impact on the community, with many struggling to come to terms with the horrific abuse Oaklee endured in her final months.
The tragic death of Oaklee Snow is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of child abuse and neglect. Madison Marshall and Roan Waters will now serve lengthy prison sentences, though nothing can undo the harm they caused to an innocent child.
Oaklee’s story, marked by untold suffering, has sparked outrage and sorrow, urging society to reflect on the importance of protecting vulnerable children from harm.
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