Topeka, October 6:  Mickel W Cherry, a 25-year-old man, was arrested on Tuesday, October 3, and charged with the murder and rape of a victim under 14 years old. He is currently held on a USD 2 million bond. Cherry is alleged to have sexually assaulted and murdered a 5-year-old girl at a homeless camp in Topeka, Kansas, US. Zoey Felix was found at a gas station in Southeast Topeka with life-threatening injuries on Monday, October 2. Despite emergency medical efforts, she tragically succumbed to her injuries at a local hospital.

Multiple reports suggest that Zoey's mother had kicked her out, along with other family members, from their house, leaving them homeless and vulnerable. The family was forced to reside in a makeshift camp about a mile from their former home. The Topeka Police Department responded to a distress call at a gas station, where they discovered Zoey with life-threatening injuries. The police wasted no time in their investigation, leading to the arrest of Cherry.  His first court appearance is scheduled for December 21. US Plane Crash Caught on Camera: Banner Plane Crashes on Street in Hollywood, Pilot Killed (Watch Video).

Neighbors who had witnessed Zoey's turbulent life at home reported her often roaming unsupervised. Reports indicate that the living conditions at Zoey's former residence were deplorable, lacking basic utilities and sanitation. The community rallied together, providing her with basic necessities like food, clothing, and bathing. Shockingly, she had not been attending school. Concerned neighbors had made several reports to the Kansas Department for Children and Families in the lead-up to this tragic incident. Ride Malfunction in US Video: Passengers Left Hanging Upside Down as Amusement Ride Malfunctions at Forest County Festival in Crandon.

They cited deplorable living conditions in Zoey's former home, including a lack of running water and feces-filled surroundings, but claimed that their concerns were not addressed. This incident has raised serious questions about the handling of child welfare cases in the state, prompting Kansas state lawmakers to demand answers from the Department of Children and Families.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 06, 2023 11:49 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).