Texas mother charged with murdering 6-year-old son a month after insuring him

HOUSTON (TCD) --

A Texas mother is charged with murdering her 6-year-old son for insurance money.

Ashley Marks, 25, was arrested on Wednesday, March 31, accused of killing 6-year-old Jason Sanchez-Marks in June 2020.

Marks appeared in a Harris County courtroom on Monday, April 5, on a charge of capital murder.

KPRC-TV reports Jason Sanchez-Marks died on June 27, 2020.

“According to court documents, Marks is accused of giving Jason toxic amounts of chlorpheniramine, dextromethorphan, diphenhydramine with methamphetamine on June 27, 2020, which caused his death. An autopsy also revealed Jason had been exposed to methamphetamine and cocaine, according to a report from the Texas Child Protective Services,” KPRC reported.

Chlorpheniramine, dextromethorphan and diphenhydramine are ingredients that can be found in over-the-counter cough and allergy medicines.

Harris County forensics investigators ruled the boy’s death a homicide, the Houston Chronicle reports.

According to a Texas Child Protective Services report, Jason and his younger sister had been staying with their grandfather for about two months when they became ill with tuberculosis. KPRC reports Ashley Marks visited and gave medication to Jason, but the girl did not take the medication.

Jason reportedly became violently ill over the next two days. He died days later.

“We believe it’s her scheme to have her son die in her father’s care,” Harris County Assistant District Attorney Gilbert Sawtelle said, per KPRC.

KTVT-TV reports investigators said they discovered Ashley Marks was a licensed insurance agent, and had taken out two life insurance policies, each worth $50,000, for her son, and she was the sole beneficiary, according to court documents. The policies were taken out about a month before the boy’s death, KTVT reports.

“A spokesperson for CPS said the department had no contact with the family before Jason’s death,” KPRC reported.

Marks was held on $750,000 bond. Her next hearing was set for April 16.

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