Two Charged in Death of 3-Year-Old Kamille McKinney
Patrick Devone Stallworth and Derick Irisha Brown were charged with capital murder Thursday in the death of Kamille “Cupcake” McKinney, the 3-year-old who was abducted while at a birthday party in Birmingham earlier this month. Jefferson County District Attorney Danny Carr announced the criminal charges at a 4 p.m. press conference.
“Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the family as they grieve the loss of Kamille,” Carr said.
Both Stallworth and Brown will be held at the Jefferson County Jail on no bond.
Carr thanked law enforcement for their efforts during the intense search for Kamille following her disappearance on Oct. 12. He also thanked the community for their tips and support during the investigation.
Kamille “Cupcake” McKinney’s body was found in a dumpster at a landfill.Police found the girl’s remains Tuesday in a dumpster at a Birmingham-area landfill. Police Chief Patrick Smith says search teams sifted through more than 12 tons of garbage before finding Kamille’s body. The dumpster, Smith says, was not far from the Birmingham apartment complex where police found the suspects.
Kamille was abducted while playing in the Tom Brown Village public housing community in Avondale. Other children in the area where Kamille was kidnapped described Stallworth’s Toyota Sequoia and identified him as a man who had been giving candy to kids at Tom Brown Village. Police arrested Stallworth the day after Kamille’s disappearance and impounded his blue Toyota SUV.
Police detained Stallworth, 39, on child pornography charges unrelated to Kamille’s abduction. He posted bond.
Brown, 29, was held on charges connected to a previous kidnapping involving her children. She had not posted bond prior to the new charges.
People from around the city have come together to mourn Kamille’s death.
On Wednesday, dozens of people stopped by St. James AME Church near Tom Brown Village round mid-day for reflections and prayers.
A few @BhamPolice officers are among those reflecting on the tragic death of 3-year-old Kamille “Cupcake” McKinney at St. James AME Church. The sanctuary is open today for prayer and reflection. pic.twitter.com/JtD57FLJ7X
— Janae Pierre (@missjanaepierre) October 23, 2019
Later Wednesday, faith leaders from the around the city led a vigil for Kamille downtown on 20th Street between City Hall and Linn Park.
Mayor @randallwoodfin begins the vigil for #KamilleMcKinney, the little girl who was kidnapped 11 days ago. Police found remains, believed to be Kamille on Tuesday. Woodfin says Birmingham has taught the world lessons about rising up in the face of evil. pic.twitter.com/TSzTXX1Vjm
— Sherrel Stewart (@4newzscoop) October 23, 2019
Following the announcement of the capital murder charges, the family of Patrick Stallworth issued this statement:
“We can’t find enough words to express our grief, and we are distraught by the fact that a member of the Stallworth family is charged with this heinous act. Patrick was reared in a family with strong values. The actions he is alleged to have done in no way reflect who we are as a family. We will continue to pray for the McKinney family. For us, this too is a tragedy.”
How North Carolina erased medical debt for 2.5 million people
The state partnered with a nonprofit to wipe out the debts. It also has a plan in place to prevent medical debt for people in specific income brackets.
Public domain contest challenges filmmakers to remix Betty Boop, Nancy Drew and more
Nearly 280 filmmakers entered the Internet Archive's annual contest celebrating creative freedom without copyright restrictions.
How ICE grew to be the highest-funded U.S. law enforcement agency
ICE's budget hovered around $10 billion for years. But President Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress are taking the agency's funding to unprecedented levels.
1 year into Trump’s second term, a consumer watchdog agency is ‘hanging by a thread’
The Trump administration has ordered work stoppages and layoffs and has tried cutting off funding to effectively dismantle the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Trump heads to Davos after upending European relations over Greenland
The U.S. president is set to meet with an array of leaders to discuss Greenland. Trump's push to acquire Greenland has turned to antagonism toward allies in recent days.
It’s showdown time for the Fed’s independence at the Supreme Court
At issue are President Trump's efforts to break with 112 years of law and precedent by firing Lisa Cook, a member of the Federal Reserve's governing board.
