A five-year-old girl in Kansas was raped and murdered after being forced to live in a homeless camp in the woods. Zoey Felix died on 5 October 2023 after being found with life-threatening injuries at a petrol station in Topeka.
Mickel Wayne Cherry, 25, who was known to the child, has been charged with first-degree murder and rape. Neighbours reported that Zoey had been living in a dilapidated house without electricity or running water, and that they had repeatedly contacted police about neglect.
Sharon Williams, a neighbour, told local media: 'I reported it. I'm sure we all have reported it several times, but nothing was ever done that I'm aware of.' Another neighbour, Shaniqua Bradley, said Zoey often asked to stay with her, which she considered a sign that something was wrong at home.
Zoey's mother, Holly Jo Felix, 36, has a criminal record including aggravated battery against a victim referred to as 'ZF' in 2018, and driving under the influence with a child in the vehicle. She was on probation at the time of Zoey's death. Two weeks before the murder, she reportedly kicked Zoey and others out of the home, forcing them to live in a wooded homeless camp.
Police had visited the home three times in September 2023 for welfare checks and domestic disturbance calls. The Kansas Department for Children was also contacted multiple times, but no action was taken.
