TOPEKA, KS – A man from Topeka, Kansas, has been taken into custody following the tragic death of a 5-year-old girl, Zoey Felix, law enforcement officials reported on Tuesday. The grim discovery was made when police responded to a medical emergency at a local gas station shortly before 6 p.m. on Monday, where they found emergency services trying to revive the young girl.
Despite immediate medical attention and being rushed to a hospital, Felix did not survive. A 25-year-old man was subsequently identified as a suspect and was arrested on Tuesday morning on suspicion of first-degree murder and rape.
The suspect, identified as Mickel Cherry of Topeka, was booked into the Shawnee County Jail early Tuesday morning. His bail has been set at a staggering $2 million. Timothy Phelps, the deputy director of the Shawnee County Department of Corrections, confirmed that Cherry does not have an attorney at this time.
Jail records reveal that Cherry was listed as homeless. Although he is in custody, no formal charges have been filed against him yet, according to court records. The police statement suggested that Cherry was acquainted with the victim, Zoey Felix, but did not provide further details. Police spokesperson Rosie Nichols refrained from disclosing additional information about their relationship or the cause of Felix’s death.
Residents in the area reported that Felix lived in a state of instability. The house she shared with her mother lacked basic utilities such as water and electricity, and she was often left alone. Desiree Myles, a neighbor, remembered Felix as a “loving girl” who was cherished by all the neighborhood children.