MARQUETTE, MI— A Marquette physician and his wife were arrested Tuesday on child abuse charges.
The Marquette County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched Monday to the Marquette Township residence of Dr. Colin Irish, 57, and Carrie Irish, 49, to investigate allegations obtained from Child Protective Services.
It’s alleged the Irishes locked their 10-year-old special needs son in a closet for several hours a day over a period of several months. They apparently forced the child to sleep on the floor wearing only underwear and refused to provide a mattress, blanket, or pillow. There were no heating vents or windows. The closet walls were modified with plastic sheet panels and linoleum floors, and a lock on the outside of the door prevented the child from getting out. The child had defecated and urinated in the room multiple times and was then forced to clean it.
Child Protective Services removed all three minor children from the Irish home and placed them temporarily in foster care. The 10-year-old child was transported by EMS to UPHS-Marquette and treated for possible frostbite to his feet. He was then turned over to foster care.
On Tuesday, Irishes were arrested for second degree child abuse. Colin Irish posted a $25,000 cash bond and Carrie Irish posted 10% of $25,000. Both have been released from custody and are ordered to have no contact with the three minor children.
The Sheriff’s Office was assisted in the investigation by Child Protective Services and the Northern Light’s Child Advocacy Center.
Both individuals are scheduled for a preliminary hearing on 03/13/25 at 2:30pm in the 96th District Court of Marquette.
