In a heartbreaking case from Topeka, Kansas, a 26-year-old man named Mickel Cherry has pleaded guilty to the murder and sexual assault of a 5-year-old girl named Zoey Felix. This tragic incident took place last year while Zoey’s father was working just across the street.
On October 2, 2023, police received a call about a young girl who was seriously injured at a gas station. When emergency responders arrived, they found Zoey in critical condition. Despite the best efforts of medical personnel, she was pronounced dead shortly after reaching the hospital.
Initially, Cherry faced a capital murder charge, but he accepted a plea deal and pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and rape. Now, under Kansas law, he will spend life in prison, with the possibility of parole after 25 years. However, the judge could decide to extend that time to 50 years before he’s eligible for parole.
The investigation into Zoey’s death quickly turned into a homicide case. Authorities discovered that Cherry and Zoey were living in the same makeshift homeless camp at the time of her death. Sadly, Zoey’s living conditions were quite dire; she and her father had been kicked out of their home just weeks before, and they were struggling to find a safe place to stay.
During the investigation, it came to light that Cherry had been left alone with Zoey for about five hours while her father was at work. After initially giving conflicting statements, Cherry eventually admitted to assaulting Zoey and then suffocating her with a pillow.
Neighbors described Zoey as a little girl who often took care of herself and would run around the neighborhood unsupervised. One community member, Sheryl Tyree, mentioned, “Everybody loved Zoey, except her parents.” It paints a sad picture of a girl who was loved by her community but failed to receive the protection she needed from her family.
As this case continues to unfold, it raises important questions about child welfare and the systems meant to protect vulnerable children like Zoey.
