Here on Stalin Lives, we discuss brutal and heartbreaking crimes against children.

Themes may include child murder, torture, and sexual domestic and child abuse.

I do try to my best to remain respectful for the babies in these stories, and leave out unnecessary

details that honestly, none of us need to know to understand the frustration of why and how this

ever happened.

However, if you find any of these themes triggering this podcast may not be for you.

Listener discretion is advised.

This week's story is a listener's suggestion. Thank you to Emma for bringing Marcus's story to my attention. This is one that I've wanted to tell for a while now. Marcus was nonverbal and never got

to tell his story. He was given up by his mother, taken away from his siblings, and placed with a family where,

honestly, he was just a meal ticket. He never got to be comforted and cared for the way he deserved.

I really wanted the opportunity to be his voice and to tell his story. What happened to Marcus,

the conflicting stories make it hard to be certain, but there is one common theme. He was locked away because he was in the way and then thrown away like he didn't matter.

But he did and he does.

Marcus's story has been responsible for changes in legislation in Ohio surrounding foster care.

His legacy will live on.

August 2006, Cincinnati, Ohio. A mother had a medical emergency and passed out in the

park with four children, only to wake with one missing. Three-year-old Marcus was autistic,

so obviously there was high concern for his safety. However, an extensive search for this little

boy turned up no sign of him. And slowly, the story unravels to

reveal true horrors of Marcus's final moments. Or because his foster parents deemed him too

difficult to handle. This is Marcus's story. That was Marcus Faisal. What's left of Marcus Faisal

would fit in this cup. Marcus Faisal would fit in this cup.

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