Foster parents charged one year later in death of 18-year-old

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill. – On Monday, detectives from the Fairview Heights Police Department shared new developments in relation to the death of an 18-year-old girl.

Prosecutors have now announced that they have charged Mackenzi Felmee’s foster parents for her death, which occurred on May 11, 2024 in Fairview Heights, Illinois.

Officials have indicted Shameka Williams (foster mother), 46, and Corneila Reid (foster grandmother), 64, with the following charges:

First-Degree Murder
Involuntary Manslaughter
Aggravated Domestic Battery
Aggravated Domestic battery
Aggravated Domestic battery
Intimidation
Intimidation
Unlawful Restraint
Domestic Battery
Domestic Battery

According to the department, officials were alerted to the foster parent’s home shortly before 3 a.m. to reports of an unresponsive person on May 11, 2024.

When police arrived at the scene, they discovered Felmee, who was lying at the bottom of the staircase, badly injured. At the time of the incident, detectives Williams and Reid were around the 18-year-old.

First responders attempted to save Felmee’s life, performing lifesaving measures. But Mackenzi would later succumb to injuries at the Belleville Memorial Hospital.

Upon examination of Felmee’s body, medical professionals found alarming bruising and marks. This discovery prompted investigators to take a closer look into what really happened in the early hours of May 11, 2024.

According to detectives, Felmee entered the care of her foster mother, Shameka Williams, in 2020. In various search warrants and interviews, detectives and forensic experts discovered evidence of abuse, torture and neglect.

Foster parents charged one year later in death of 18-year-old

Both women were taken into custody at St. Clair County Jail on Monday, according to the Fairview Heights Police.

Officials say that during the Monday arrest, one minor physically assaulted an officer. The officer suffered a facial injury and was taken to the hospital for treatment.

The investigation into Mackenzi Felmee’s death remains ongoing, according to the department, as they search for more evidence.