Mickel Cherry Pleads Guilty to Zoey Felix Murder

Mickel Cherry, 26, has pleaded guilty to the first-degree murder and rape of 5-year-old Zoey Felix, who died in October 2023 while living in a homeless camp with her father. Prosecutors revealed that Cherry suffocated the girl with a pillow after initially lying about another man's involvement. As a result of his plea, Cherry will not face the death penalty, as evidence of a potential intellectual disability puts him at risk of being barred from execution under state and federal laws. He is expected to receive a life sentence with no chance of parole for 25 years, although the district attorney is seeking to extend that to 50 years. The case has raised significant concerns regarding Kansas's child welfare system, which had investigated the family multiple times prior to the tragedy. Sentencing is scheduled for June 2-4, 2024.