Prosecutors could seek death penalty after girl raped and murdered at campsite
Prosecutors could seek death penalty after a five-year-old girl was 'raped and murdered' at campsite when her mum kicked her out.
Mickel Wayne Cherry, 25, was charged on Thursday with counts of first-degree murder and rape after the body of Zoey Felix, from Kansas, was discovered near a homeless camp.
Firefighters tried to save the toddler's life, but she was later pronounced dead. According to neighbours, the suspect had previously lived with Zoey, her dad, and her sister in the same house.
The Mirror reported on Friday how neighbour Sharon Williams said the girl's mum, Holly Jo Felix, 36, kicked her daughters and husband out of their home two weeks ago prompting them to live at the homeless campsite. Authorities from the Kansas Department for Children were called multiple times in the weeks before her death as the family had no running water and the kids were covered in faeces. "'Zoey did not deserve to be in anybody's woods", Sharon said. "This is her home right here. She has one, two, three, four, five people that would do anything for her."
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Double killer who slit girlfriend's throat within weeks of release jailed
Five-year-old Zoey Felix whose body was found at a homeless campsite (AP)Now Shawnee County District Attorney Michael Kagay has admitted a decision about seeking a death sentence will not be made until after a preliminary hearing to decide whether Cherry stands trial.. The suspect was jailed in Topeka on a $2 million bond, and his next court appearance has not yet been determined.
Residents at the campsite, Zoe often asked the family if she could stay with after being neglected by her mum. She was often seen running around unsupervised. "Everybody on the block took care of Zoey," said Sheryl Tyree. "Everybody loved Zoey, except her parents."
Mickel Wayne Cherry was jailed on $2 million bond on murder and rape charges on October 5 (AP)
The five-year-old girl's mother Holly Jo Felix who kicked her daughters and husband out of the house (pd)Police have confirmed they had made three visits to the home in September to check on the child's welfare amid reports the home had no electricity. Two domestic disturbance calls were also noted. "I just reported the neglect that was going on," Sharon said. "She's always dirty, no food unless some of us fed her, but they didn't obviously take it serious."
Her mum was on probation at the time of Zoey's death after she pleaded guilty to driving under the influence with a child. She was also convicted of possessing stolen property and domestic battery in Nevada. "It was always 'Can I stay? Can I stay?' neighbour Shaniqua Bradley said of Zoey. "Normally when a kid is persistent about staying like that, something's going on at home.'" She was also banned from contact with Zoey's dad, Ezepquiel Felix-Guerrero, as well as another victim believed to be Zoey's half-sister.
A sign calling for justice sits among toys, balloons and flowers in a makeshift memorial to five-year-old Zoey Felix (AP)City spokeswoman Gretchen Spiker confirmed there was no electricity and authorities were told the child wasn't staying there. Officers met the child and was in "good spirits" but they still made a welfare report. “She just had a good spirit to her. Honestly, very outgoing, smart. She was curious about everything. She’d ask you a 1,001 questions, and she demanded answers for those too,” said neighbour Shaniqua.
A decision over the death penalty will be taken after the the first hearing.
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