Two suspects arrested in conjunction with the kidnapping of three-year-old Kamille “Cupcake” McKinney, have now been charged with murder after Cupcake’s body was found in a dumpster at a landfill near Birmingham, Alabama. The girl was reportedly abducted from an outdoor birthday party in an apartment complex two weeks ago. According to Birmingham police, the suspects have no connection to the girl or her family.
On the day Cupcake disappeared, witnesses told authorities that they saw a man get out of a Toyota Sequoia SUV near the party, pick McKinney up, put her in the vehicle, and drive off. A woman was also seen inside the vehicle.
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An image of the SUV was made public along with an AMBER Alert issued for the toddler. The following day, police were able to locate the vehicle and arrest two people they believe to be responsible for McKinney’s disappearance.
However, McKinney remained missing until October 22, when authorities located her tiny body in a dumpster. Following the discovery of Cupcake’s body, the two people of interest have been charged with kidnapping and capital murder, People reports.
Birmingham Police Chief Patrick Smith told the media that McKinney’s body was discovered in a dumpster. According to WVMT, those arrested were identified as 39-year-old Patrick Stallworth and 29-year-old Derick Brown.
Both Stallworth and Brown have prior records. Stallworth is also facing charges unrelated to McKinney’s disappearance which include four counts of possession of obscene material of persons under 17 years of age and three counts of possession with intent to disseminate obscene material after allegedly discovering illicit imagery on his phone.
And this isn’t Brown’s first time abducting a child. According to reports, Brown’s arrest allegedly violated the probation she was on for reportedly abducting her three children from state custody.
Chief Smith told reporters, “We believe this was something they thought about and acted upon. They saw an opportunity to take a young child, and they did.” Smith also believes that McKinney’s horrific passing has sent a clear message across the country:
“This young child has touched a nation. This young child has definitely sent a message across the nation that we all must be diligent to protect [children].”
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During an interview with CBS 42, McKinney’s father, Dominic McKinney, said he came up with her nickname, “Cupcake,” the day she was born. “When she came out, she was all cute and red with little brown eyes and I said, ‘That’s my cupcake.’”
“She’s a good girl. She’s sweet, she’s really loveable. Everyone loves Cupcake.”
Hundreds of messages from people all over the United States have been pouring in since McKinney’s body was found. Daytime talk show host, Tamara Hall, was one of those people:
A public vigil has been scheduled for 4:00 p.m. on October 23.