The truth behind the chimney

Marcus case hit home, so he took action
Kelley, Eileen. Cincinnati Enquirer, March 10, 2007, pg. B1.

For 65-year-old Dave Richey, the area around the Merritt Road chimney was an escape from the sun, the noise of his road grader and the din of traffic on busier roads in Brown County.A stunning 30-foot-high stone chimney, the only vestige of an old farmhouse, and a swift-running creek allowed him to lose himself in the peace and the beauty of the area during his lunch breaks.

But in August, Richey learned a heartbreaking fact about the chimney: It was where the body of 3-year-old Marcus Fiesel was burned.

Richey, who retired from his job two months ago, hasn't gone back to the old chimney since. Marcus' death, he said, "kind of ruined it for me."

Richey, a Lewis Township road maintenance worker, called an old buddy, Brown County Sheriff's Deputy Tim Hubbard.

For the next several weeks, the two organized a benefit - with pony rides, cornhole, a band, baked goods and bicycles for an auction - in Marcus' name.

On Friday, the results of the benefit were clear when two programs that specialize in the care and support for autistic children in Brown, Clermont and surrounding counties were each given a check for $2,500.

And $3,000 in future scholarships for six college-bound high school graduates from West Clermont and Brown County high schools were given to school officials.

Sometime this spring, a granite bench will be placed and dedicated in the name of Marcus in a Brown County park, Richey said.

All told, the benefit and a few other donations brought in $9,000 in the name of Marcus.


"It's been great to see the community come together," Richey told the small crowd gathered Friday for the check presentations.

As the recipients were handed their checks, cameras flashed. People applauded.

"It's a day of mixed emotions," said Gary Brooks, superintendent of the West Clermont Local School District.

He said he's happy to receive the scholarship money, but not for the reason behind the donation.

We are here "because of the short, tragic life of Marcus Fiesel," he said.

Marcus' foster parents, Liz and David Carroll Jr., are in prison for killing him.

Liz Carroll was sentenced last month to 54 years to life in prison. She is appealing. Her husband pleaded guilty to murder and will be eligible for parole in 16 years.

Prosecutors say the couple bound the boy and left him alone in a closet to die over the weekend of Aug 4.

Amy Baker, who grew up in Brown County and was the Carrolls' live-in girlfriend, helped dispose of Marcus' body in Brown County.

The Carrolls and Baker then concocted an elaborate story about Marcus being missing from an Anderson Township park. (Baker was later granted immunity from prosecution.)

From that point on, Greater Cincinnati galvanized: first to find the boy, who was in fact dead; then, attending benefits and hearings to seek changes in local and state regulations regarding foster care.

"I think this is why Marcus was here," said Pam Bolton, of Amelia, who attended the check-presentation event on Friday, and last month attended the trail of Liz Carroll. "I think he was placed here to bring attention to the (foster care) situation."