An Oregon father has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty in connection with the death of his 4-year-old son, whose fatal injuries followed weeks of alleged abuse after what was supposed to be a brief custody visit.
Marquavious Ware, 23, was sentenced Monday after reaching a plea agreement that reduced charges of murder and assault to second-degree manslaughter, according to court records.
Ware pleaded guilty in June and received credit for the more than three years he has already spent in jail since his arrest in 2023.
Child Never Returned After Scheduled Two-Day Visit
The case stems from the death of Jhorden Clay, who died in May 2023 at an apartment in Portland’s Woodlawn neighborhood.
According to investigators, Jhorden’s mother, who had legal custody of the boy, left him with Ware for what was intended to be a two-day visit. However, police said Ware refused to return the child, and Jhorden remained with his father for approximately one month.
During that time, prosecutors allege the child was repeatedly abused.
Medical Findings Revealed Extensive Injuries
Court documents state that Jhorden died from blunt force trauma and a collapsed heart. Investigators also said the child suffered from severe dehydration and malnutrition.
Medical staff documented bruises covering much of the child’s body, including his face, jaw, neck, ears, chest, abdomen, hips, thighs, calves, and arms.
Doctors also reported finding cigarette burns and older scars, suggesting the child had experienced repeated injuries over time.
Authorities said some bruises appeared to have been inflicted within hours of his death, while others were several days or weeks old.
Witness Described Events Before Child’s Death
According to a probable cause affidavit, a family member living in the apartment heard Ware yelling on the day of the incident and went upstairs.
The witness reportedly saw Ware washing blood from Jhorden’s mouth while the child was sitting in a bathtub.
Investigators later found what appeared to be blood on the child’s bed, pillow, bedroom floor, doorway, bathroom floor, and inside a toilet.
The family member told police Ware had become angry because Jhorden had wet the bed and had allegedly taken Skittles into bed without permission.
After briefly leaving the apartment, the witness returned to hear Ware shouting that the child was having a seizure.
The affidavit states the witness saw Jhorden vomiting into the bathtub before he was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Defendant Admitted to Some Physical Discipline
During police interviews, Ware admitted disciplining his son by slapping his hand, making him stand in a corner with one foot raised, and striking the bottom of his foot with a clothes hanger.
He also acknowledged that Jhorden had remained in his care for about one month.
However, prosecutors alleged the child’s injuries were far more extensive than the discipline Ware described.
Mother Reportedly Raised Concerns Before Death
Investigators said Jhorden’s mother noticed injuries during FaceTime calls with her son and took screenshots and photographs documenting the bruises.
She reported her concerns to authorities but later told investigators she was informed there was little police could do because Ware was the child’s father.
The mother also told police that Jhorden was afraid of his father and wanted to return home.
According to local reports, she attempted to obtain a restraining order against Ware before her son’s death, but the request was denied. The reason for the denial has not been publicly explained.
Lawsuit Alleges Agencies Failed to Protect Child
Jhorden’s estate has filed a $17 million lawsuit against the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) and the City of Portland, alleging officials failed to protect the child despite multiple reports of abuse.
According to reports, DHS later conducted an internal review and concluded the agency had not adequately investigated previous allegations involving the child.
The review reportedly found that less than a month before Jhorden’s death, his mother had submitted FaceTime screenshots showing bruising and a visible bump on his forehead.
Child Witness Reportedly Saw Abuse
Investigators also interviewed another child who had been staying in Ware’s home.
According to police, the child said they witnessed Ware kick and stomp on Jhorden on multiple occasions.
Following Ware’s arrest in 2023, Jhorden’s mother repeatedly expressed her belief that authorities failed to protect her son despite her repeated warnings.
Family members echoed those concerns, saying the child should have been kept safe.
Court Imposes Prison Sentence
At Monday’s sentencing hearing, Ware’s attorney told the court that his client was remorseful and never intended for his son to die.
The defense also argued that another individual who had access to the apartment may have been responsible for some of the child’s injuries.
After accepting Ware’s guilty plea to second-degree manslaughter, the court sentenced him to 10 years in prison, concluding the criminal case while civil litigation against government agencies remains ongoing.
