Man pleads guilty to raping and murdering homeless girl in Kansas

In October 2023, a 5-year-old girl named Zoey Felix was found dead in Kansas, leading to serious criminal allegations against Mickel Cherry. Cherry, who lived with Zoey and her father in a makeshift homeless camp, was charged with capital murder and rape in connection with her death. On a recent Friday, Cherry pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and rape, which meant he would avoid facing the death penalty. The plea came during a session in Shawnee County District Court in Topeka, where the judge was informed of the horrific circumstances surrounding Zoey's death, including details of her rape and suffocation. The court hearing revealed that Zoey had been under the scrutiny of Kansas' child welfare department several times, but investigators could not corroborate any allegations of neglect or drug use by the girl's mother. This lack of evidence for the allegations raised serious questions about the effectiveness of child welfare interventions. The family lived in a homeless encampment that was well-known to authorities, with numerous police reports filed regarding domestic issues. Zoey's father was present throughout the court proceedings but chose not to comment afterward, reflecting the heart-wrenching nature of the situation. Friends and mentors of Zoey expressed their anguish and disbelief at the outcome, viewing the plea as insufficient for the monumental loss of a young life. The prosecution asserted that despite Cherry’s claims of being mentally slow and having learning difficulties, the evidence against him was overwhelming. The testimony from the district attorney highlighted the tragic fate of a child who had lived in precarious and unsafe conditions leading up to her untimely death. With Cherry's scheduled sentencing between June 2-4, the community and advocates for children's rights remained vigilant, aware that justice for Zoey may not bring closure to a pain that is deep-seated and widespread. The case served as a catalyst for conversations regarding homelessness, child welfare, and the systemic failures that contribute to tragic outcomes such as this one. The response from the community aimed to push for more robust support systems for vulnerable families and children, hoping to prevent further tragedies in the future.