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.”
As deadline for Trump’s colleges compact looms, schools signal dissent
Of the original nine schools that received the Trump administration's Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education, the majority have indicated they are not planning on signing.
Can collagen supplements improve your skin? Here’s what the research shows
With age comes wisdom. And wrinkles. And joint pain. In wellness circles, the buzz is that collagen supplements can help with all these concerns. But are these claims something you should swallow?
Centrist Rodrigo Paz wins Bolivia’s presidential runoff, topping right-wing rival
Centrist senator Rodrigo Paz won Bolivia's presidency with 54% of the vote, ending 20 years of rule by the Movement Toward Socialism party amid economic turmoil.
Trump announces tariffs and an end to U.S. aid to Colombia amid clash over drug trade
The U.S. will slash assistance to Colombia and enact tariffs on its exports because the country's leader, Gustavo Petro, "does nothing to stop" drug production, President Donald Trump said Sunday.
Sam Rivers, bassist and founding member of Limp Bizkit, dies aged 48
"Sam Rivers wasn't just our bass player — he was pure magic. The pulse beneath every song, the calm in the chaos, the soul in the sound," Limp Bizkit said in a social media post Saturday.
Israel strikes Gaza as both IDF and Hamas accuse each other of breaching ceasefire
The Israel Defense Forces said Sunday it responded after "terrorists" attacked troops operating in the Rafah area with gunfire and an anti-tank missile. Hamas said it was unaware of the clashes.
