Tree dedicated in memory of Marcus

A tree was dedicated to honor the memory of murdered foster child Marcus Fiesel at the Spencer Shank Park in Amelia June 3.

The white flowering pear tree, which symbolizes a loss of innocence, is the first tree to be dedicated as part of Amelia’s recently formed memorial tree program.

Amelia village Parks and Recreation Commission chair Tonya Spurlock said that she hopes that the tree brings peace to all those who look upon it and will allow the community to begin a healing process.

“We all thought that it would be nice to have the first tree donated for Marcus,” she said. “This county has been so affected and devastated by the loss of Marcus. So many people in the area helped search for him last summer and we have all been following the case. We mourn his loss and want to make sure that his name is written in stone and seen for generations to come.”

Since Clermont County has not yet had any kind of local memorial for Marcus, the Amelia Recreation Commission only thought it appropriate that the time was right to do something in his memory, Spurlock said.

The dedication ceremony, which was attended by approximately 25 people, included music by the Mt. Carmel Christian Church guitarist Eric Finan and singer Meggie Adamson, and brief remarks from Mt. Carmel Christian Church Youth Pastor Tim Dunn.

"We are here to recognize and honor the legacy of Marcus Fiesel so that we never forget what happened to him," the pastor said in his remarks. "Something like this must never happen again."

Marcus Fiesel was murdered at the hands of his foster parents Liz and David Carroll last August after being left bound and locked in a closet while the foster parents went to a family event out of state; the Carrolls are both now serving life sentences for his murder.

In a symbolic gesture, white carnations provided by many local florists were distributed to all those attending the tree dedication ceremony.

Amelia Mayor Mike Scharf said that the tree dedication ceremony was a very special day not only in the village, but in the whole county.

"Today, we are remembering Marcus, but we are also remembering that there all kinds of kids just like Marcus who are abused or mistreated," the mayor said. "Our hope is that this memorial tree and marker will spread awareness about foster care and help ensure that Marcus did not die in vain."

Spurlock and the village of Amelia would like to thank Bard Nurseries for donating the pear tree and Beeco Monuments for donating the stone marker.