Girl, 5, who died after being thrown out by her mum had heartbreaking question

10 October 2023 , 12:15

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Authorities were called many times before Zoe Felix's death as kids were often covered in faeces (Image: GoFundme)

Authorities were called multiple times before a five-year-old girl's death as her family had no running water and kids were covered in faeces.

The dead body of Zoe Felix, was discovered in a field near a homeless camp. Firefighters tried to save the toddler's life at a nearby a petrol station but she was pronounced dead a short while later. The circumstances leading to the tragedy followed the family being kicked out their home by their mother 36-year-old Holly Jo Felix. The children's father Mickel Wayne Cherry, 25, has since been charged with counts of first-degree murder and rape after Zoey was found in a field near the camp.

Five-year-old Zoe Felix whose body was found on a homeless campsite (AP)

Authorities had previously been called "multiple times" to the family's home, according to residents because they had 'no running water and the kids were often covered in faeces'. Zoe often asked neighbours if she could stay with them after being neglected by her mum and was often seen running around unsupervised. "Everybody on the block took care of Zoey," said neighbour Sheryl Tyree. "Everybody loved Zoey, except her parents."

Another neighbour Sharon Williams said Zoey's mum, Holly Jo Felix, 36, kicked her daughters and husband out of their home a fortnight ago, which led them to living at the homeless campsite. The Kansas Department for Children was called multiple times in the weeks leading up to her death. "'Zoey did not deserve to be in anybody's woods", Sharon said. "This is her home right here. She has one, two, three, four, five people that would do anything for her."

The Mirror told earlier how Police confirmed the made three visits to the home in September to check on the child's welfare amid reports the home had no electricity. Two domestic disturbance calls were also noted. "I just reported the neglect that was going on," Sharon said. "She's always dirty, no food unless some of us fed her, but they didn't obviously take it serious."

Double killer who slit girlfriend's throat within weeks of release jailed

Mickel Wayne Cherry was jailed on $2 million bond on murder and rape charges (AP)

Zoe Felix's mum Holly Jo Felix who kicked her family out of the house (pd)

City spokeswoman Gretchen Spiker confirmed following the first call, officers confirmed there was no electricity and that they were told the child wasn't staying there. Officers met the child and was in "good spirits" but they still made a welfare report. “She just had a good spirit to her. Honestly, very outgoing, smart. She was curious about everything. She’d ask you a 1,001 questions, and she demanded answers for those too,” said neighbour Shaniqua.

A decision about seeking a death sentence for the accused will not be made until after a preliminary hearing to decide whether Cherry stands trial. The suspect was jailed in Topeka on a $2 million bond, and his next court appearance has not yet been determined.

Zoey Felix, whose dead body was found is honored with a makeshift memorial (AP)

DA Mike Kagay said he is pursuing the capital murder charge "because it qualifies; it seemed appropriate given the circumstances, given the facts of this case." Meanwhile a GoFundMe page has been set up to raise money for Zoe's funeral expenses. A tribute on the page reads: "Our sole purpose was to only provide a proper funeral for this beautiful angel, our beloved Zo Zo."

Graeme Murray