The Kansas Department for Children and Families confirmed on Tuesday that they investigated a 5-year-old girl’s family five times in the weeks leading up to her rape and murder this month.
DCF reportedly visited Zoey Felix’s home multiple times in September, with investigators unsuccessfully attempting to make contact on seven instances. The agency also got a report in late August about drug use and no working utilities in Felix’s home, according to KCTV.
Residents told The Topeka Capital-Journal that Felix was no longer living with her mother by late September, as she was kicked out to live with her father at a local homeless camp. The father’s acquaintance, Mickel Cherry, 25, allegedly went on to rape and murder Felix — who was found in a field near the homeless camp on October 2, as CrimeOnline reported.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reported that Felix’s mother was arrested in November 2022 for driving under the influence with her daughter unrestrained in the car. At the time Felix was placed in her father’s custody, though her mother ultimately got probation due to a plea deal.
According to The Kansas City Star, DCF was first alerted to poor living conditions and drug use in Felix’s home in September 2022 — 10 days before her mother’s arrest. However, Felix’s mother tested negative for drugs and the family declined any services.
A similar report issued in May resulted in DCF finding that Felix’s home was “operational” and there was no evidence of drug use.
DCF’s latest report substantiated that there was sexual abuse related to Felix’s death. The physical abuse aspect remains under investigation. Meanwhile, Cherry is charged with capital murder, first-degree murder, and rape.
A neighbor who claimed to have called DCF regarding Felix told The Kansas City Star that Felix had a shower and got cleaned up in her home three weeks before her murder. While there, Felix allegedly asked a friend of the neighbor if she could stay there for a bit.
The resident commented, “I want them to fix this broken system.”
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[Featured image: Zoey Felix/handout; Mickel Cherry/Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office
