Texas Mother Faces Capital Murder Charges For Overdosing 6-Year-Old Son To Get Insurance Money

A Texas mother is facing capital murder charges after intentionally overdosing her 6-year-old son on methamphetamine and over-the-counter drugs for profit.

Last summer, while victim Jason Sanchez-Marks and his 4-year-old sister stayed at their grandfather’s townhouse, they came down with tuberculosis. Their mother, Ashley Marks, acted as any mother would. For several days she came by to administer the children’s medicine.

According to Child Protective Services, Jason took the medicine offered while his little sister refused.

In the days that followed, Jason became very ill. According to CPS, he was vomiting and experiencing hallucinations.

“The grandfather said he repeatedly contacted the mother over a two-day period notifying her that the 6-year-old child was ill (projectile vomiting, hallucinating, unable to sleep), but neither the mother nor grandfather sought medical attention for the 6-year-old as the child’s condition worsened,” the CPS report states.

On June 27, 2020, Jason was found unresponsive and not breathing by his grandfather. He was pronounced dead shortly after.

Methamphetamine and cocaine were found in his system, the autopsy report concluded.

Marks, 25, who just so happens to be a life insurance agent, was arrested on Wednesday for her young son’s death as it is believed she acted with a motive.

“I believe she poisoned her child to cash in on two life insurance policies she took out on her son a month prior to his death,” Harris County Assistant District Attorney Gilbert Sawtelle said. “She specializes in life insurance. That was a big clue that this was not an accidental death.”

The grandfather has been cooperative with the police as it is believed her plan was always to have the boy die in her father’s care.

Marks remains behind bars at a local jail and has been denied bond.

The family, however, continues to remember Jason, a first-grader, as a “smart, caring child who loved to play with toy cars and dress up as a cowboy.”

“I just want to wake up and say it was all a dream,” Jason’s father, Mario Sanchez, said. “I feel so bad.”

According to People, Jason’s younger sister is now living with Mario.

Marks is scheduled to reappear in court on Monday.