Liz Carroll was born on March 24, 1976. She grew up in a suburban neighborhood and was known as a popular girl in school. At one point, she was even crowned homecoming queen. Liz led what appeared to be a typical life for many suburban teenagers.

As an adult, Liz married David Carroll. They had children together and decided to become foster parents. They took in children who needed care and support, including a boy named Marcus Fiesel. Liz was described as a homemaker who took care of her family, but there were many challenges in her home life that were not public knowledge.

Liz and David lived in Union Township, Clermont County, Ohio. Their home was part of the foster care system. However, not everyone around them was aware of some of the issues they faced. David Carroll had a mental health condition that was not disclosed to the agency overseeing their foster care activities. This could have disqualified them from being foster parents.

Liz and David had another adult, Amy Baker, living with them at the time. Amy was thought to be a friend but complicated the family dynamic. There were times when David expressed doubts about raising foster children, and this caused tension in their marriage.

On August 15, 2006, Liz Carroll reported that her foster child, Marcus Fiesel, was missing. She claimed that she had fainted at Juilfs Park in Anderson Township while with four children, including Marcus. When she regained consciousness, she said, Marcus was gone. This claim led to a massive search for the child, involving hundreds of volunteers and law enforcement.

However, the story began to unravel. Days later, the remains of Marcus Fiesel were found incinerated in Brown County, Ohio. Police learned that Marcus had been left locked in a closet, bound with a blanket and packing tape, while Liz Carroll, her husband David, and their girlfriend Amy Baker attended a family reunion during the first weekend of August. Authorities reported that Marcus likely died from hyperthermia due to extreme heat in the closet, as temperatures could have soared to between 105°F and 110°F.

Liz Carroll testified before a grand jury, admitting that Marcus had been left without food or water and that she had no intention of hurting him. After their return home from the reunion, the Carrolls discovered Marcus dead. They were accused of burning the body and disposing of the remains in the Ohio River.

Following these events, Liz and David Carroll faced numerous charges, including child endangerment, involuntary manslaughter, and murder. A jury convicted Liz Carroll on February 21, 2007. The trial went on for ten days. She was sentenced to 54 years to life in prison the next day. David Carroll accepted a plea deal and received a sentence of 15 years to life for his role in Marcus's death.

The case drew considerable public attention and led to changes in Ohio's foster care system, as many questioned how a child could be placed in such dangerous conditions. Investigations revealed severe flaws in the foster care placement process, resulting in legislative changes to improve the safety and monitoring of foster children.