GUILTY KY - Serenity Ann McKinney, 4, found deceased, mom & bf refusing to cooperate, Shelby Co, 24 Dec 2020 *Arrests, 1 guilty*

[ChatteringBirds]

Rest in peace, Serenity.

I do wonder what the circumstances are here. What turned DH and AM into the kind of people who would do this?

 

[cvaldez1975]

this case reminds me a lot of mason dominguez / brandon toseman but its shaking out differently

 

[NuttMegg]

Rest in peace, Serenity.

I do wonder what the circumstances are here. What turned DH and AM into the kind of people who would do this?

The "kind" version? Too much slapping, pushing, child hits the coffee table a la Bobby Cutts, but that was his girlfriend. I know, I still just can't believe that someone purposely kills a kid. Oh, but Chris Watts, Susan Smith, and a bunch of others.

"The toddler's words to investigators were chilling: "Mommy's crying. Mommy broke the table. Mommy's in the rug," and, later, "Daddy's mad."

‘Mommy’s in the rug’ leads to murder verdicts

 

[Lavender Moon]

The "kind" version? Too much slapping, pushing, child hits the coffee table a la Bobby Cutts, but that was his girlfriend. I know, I still just can't believe that someone purposely kills a kid. Oh, but Chris Watts, Susan Smith, and a bunch of others.

"The toddler's words to investigators were chilling: "Mommy's crying. Mommy broke the table. Mommy's in the rug," and, later, "Daddy's mad."

‘Mommy’s in the rug’ leads to murder verdicts

I remember that case all too well.
Do Serenity's mother and her boyfriend have substance abuse issues, I wonder. ( Going to look through the thread.)

 

[tlcya]

“I realized how many people my baby girl has touched. It is amazing,” Roller said.
[snip]
“It’s like wanting to wake up from a nightmare that I know I am not going to be able to wake up from,” Roller said.
[snip]
“We’re not going to stop until every single person that had a hand in doing this is fully held accountable,” Roller said. “That means even the people who are not behind bars right now.”
Serenity McKinney’s father living ’nightmare’ after 4-year-old’s remains found

A life that ended before it really began.

"I wrote on that balloon I said baby girl I know you're home, and I can't wait to see you again," D.J. Roller said. "I put two kisses on it and let it go. There's nothing that she could have done, there's nothing that she could've possibly said to make you go to something that drastic."

Roller said he feels as if he was robbed of being a dad, and for that reason, he will make it his life's mission to get justice.
Family of Serenity Mckinney find closure

 

[scapa]

Nothing from me. Not even FLK*

Funny Looking Kid (describes a child who is unusual looking but simply resembles a parent or grandparent)

Yep -- that term was a mainstay in the practice of my FiL, who ran an ER in the UK for many years.

Still in use during my own degrees in the UK much more recently, but not a phrase used during rotations or later in clinical practice where I worked there.

I don't see much in the mugshots to suggest FaS, but then it's only one data point among many.

DH seemed to be the dominant partner in this relationship -- I suspect the evidence and testimony to come is likely to reveal an asymmetrical power dynamic where SM is the one to carry the blame and become the chief focus of "discipline" and violence as AM worked to redirect that violence away from herself (mot always successfully, as evidence suggests) and "hold on" to DH.

Ethan Sloop is the definitive and most extreme example in my recent memory of this sort of dynamic, but then I rarely look in on the child cases here for my own sanity.

I am deeply sad for Serenity, as I am for any and every child who faces a situation like this. 4 years old is in some ways the most astonishing age in childhood, with an emergent world view and the capacity to see beyond the self and into others -- also, they're so curious and engaged and funny as heck. Just awful.

 

[Allabouttrial]

Roller said he feels as if he was robbed of being a dad, and for that reason, he will make it his life's mission to get justice.

Snipped by me.

Now it's that sort of comment that really annoys me in these situations. I want to say more, but I'm going to have to leave it at that. Vexing.

 

[tlcya]

I understand the vex. Similar to what some are feeling about the bio mother of Harmony. But I do understand how he might feel. He moved completely across the country and started fresh to remove himself from certain influences that were preventing him from getting his own poo together and being a responsible father. Some might say too little too late, but if he was indeed working to better himself so he could then better Serenity's life, I find it tragic that both he and she missed that opportunity. An absent parent didn't kill Serenity. A present one and her boyfriend have to own that.

 

[Allabouttrial]

I understand the vex. Similar to what some are feeling about the bio mother of Harmony. But I do understand how he might feel. He moved completely across the country and started fresh to remove himself from certain influences that were preventing him from getting his own poo together and being a responsible father. Some might say too little too late, but if he was indeed working to better himself so he could then better Serenity's life, I find it tragic that both he and she missed that opportunity. An absent parent didn't kill Serenity. A present one and her boyfriend have to own that.

ITA that he did what was best for Serenity, and that was to remove himself from her life to make himself better first. I applaud him for that and it does appear that he made those changes. Same with Harmony's mum.

The problem I have is the public outcry against DCFS and wanting them to pay for their failings.

I just know that if I was in that situation I would place the burden on myself for failing my child in the first place.

Maybe someone could explain it to me so it makes sense, because I honestly can't understand their mindset.

 

[tlcya]

yes, I follow you and I am not sure what DJ thinks LE or CPS could have done differently. There apparently wasn't CPS involvement prior to Serenity's disappearance being reported by extended family, she was in the care and custody of one of her parents.

The only thing I wish LE had done differently was when they went to do the well check, was INSIST on seeing Serenity before leaving instead of just listening to BS from mom and her BF. I feel they should have been taken into custody immediately when they failed to produce a living child. But it wouldn't have saved Serenity. She was long dead.

 

[Psychic Sleuth]

Mother charged in murder of 4-year-old Kentucky girl appears in court 7 months pregnant | News | wdrb.com

Not guilty pleas were entered on their behalf. Their bonds were originally set at $1 million each. A public defender for Catherine McKinney told the judge that her client is seven months pregnant. Based on a lack of criminal history, the public defender asked the judge to allow her to be released on a $20,000 surety bond.

 

[momsof3]

Dang. All along I have been crossing my fingers that this "mom" would be incarcerated until she was past child-bearing years. Too late. Please, please let CPS/DYFS do the right thing by this child and make sure neither of these losers ever get to see him/her for a single day. Her family does seem to care about Serenity, but sometimes I wonder if the very best thing in these situations is for a child born into these circumstances be placed outside the birth family immediately for adoption so he/she can have a chance at a normal life. I'm sorry if this is not a popular opinion, but at some point "mom" is going to get out of jail and have the possibility of access to this child and hard as they tried, the family was not able to protect Serenity from them not to mention being raised knowing your mom killed your sister. That's one heavy burden.

ETA - I hope her attorney doesn't think anyone is going to feel sympathy because she is pregnant. I think her bond should be higher to ensure she can't get her hands on another child! Fortunately, the judge ruled against lowering the bond.

Last thought - I don't mean to throw shade on Serenity's extended family. They did seem to try very hard to find Serenity even as their daughter avoided them.

Mother charged in murder of 4-year-old Kentucky girl appears in court 7 months pregnant | News | wdrb.com

Not guilty pleas were entered on their behalf. Their bonds were originally set at $1 million each. A public defender for Catherine McKinney told the judge that her client is seven months pregnant. Based on a lack of criminal history, the public defender asked the judge to allow her to be released on a $20,000 surety bond.

 

[tlcya]

Abby's mom is giving phone interviews to youtubers. Never a good sign when that starts.

 

[Allabouttrial]

Mother charged in murder of 4-year-old Kentucky girl appears in court 7 months pregnant | News | wdrb.com

Not guilty pleas were entered on their behalf. Their bonds were originally set at $1 million each. A public defender for Catherine McKinney told the judge that her client is seven months pregnant. Based on a lack of criminal history, the public defender asked the judge to allow her to be released on a $20,000 surety bond.

Also from your link.

.......
Based on a lack of criminal history, the public defender asked the judge to allow her to be released on a $20,000 surety bond.

But the judge declined to do so, keeping both Hill and McKinney's bonds at $1 million.
.......

 

[Allabouttrial]

Confirmation now on being pregnant, 7 months. From what I can gather, family stopped hearing from Serenity around June/July of 2021. Approx. 7 months ago.

 

[Trackergd]

I agree with you @Trackergd. More often now though, it seems to be a bio parent failing to protect their child from a non-related person they are in a relationship with. Do you remember Dr. Laura? She was criticized for saying a parent with minor children shouldn't date. While I think that's an extreme stance to take straight across the board, I have mused if that was applied in all the cases we see here at WS- just how many children would still be alive today.

I dated with minor children after a divorce, we've been married 32 years this year. So, that can't be applied across the board, I know this. But how do you reach/educate the vulnerable parents we see in this forum, who can't seem to navigate having a safe relationship for their child's sake? It's heartbreaking and the agencies responsible, seem to have failures time and again as well.

Knox, The most important thing that a divorced or widowed parent should keep in mind is that it is not only them dating the new person, their children are dating the new person too. How that new person interacts with your children is a key indicator in determining if the new relationship should continue or end before it gets too far along.

 

[cvaldez1975]

Confirmation now on being pregnant, 7 months. From what I can gather, family stopped hearing from Serenity around June/July of 2021. Approx. 7 months ago.

once she got pregnant the control increased

 

[NuttMegg]

once she got pregnant the control increased

Maybe he only wanted one that was "his". And she didn't want to lose him, a la s smith.

 

[fred&edna]

Serenity McKinney's family say they asked for wellness checks in 2021

 

[PommyMommy]

MAR 31, 2022
Serenity McKinney: Family blames CPS for Kentucky girl's death | whas11.com
[...]

An aunt of Abby McKinney - who asked not to be named - shared phone records and messages she said highlight a bigger issue. Phone records show the aunt called LMPD's non-emergency number six times between June 26 and June 28. She said she was asking for a wellness check on Serenity.

Facebook messages show a conversation between her and Abby where Abby says: 'Aunt-did you have the well check thing done.'

We've requested those recorded calls to dispatch as well as body camera video from the wellness checks and have been told LMPD needs to approve their release. Shortly after, Serenity's great-grandmother said she called the Child Protective Services hotline to report abuse.

"There's not a confirmation the report was ever made," said Shannon Layman, who was called as the family was trying to figure out what to do next. Layman has been in social services for about twenty years and said she decided to file a CPS report online.

"I got the confirmation email that said I filed the report and that if they chose not to open or not to investigate for any reason, they would follow up with me via email - and then I never received another. Nothing from them," she said.

In the past, Layman says CPS would contact her to clarify statements made on the report. She never got any calls.

[...]

"My report was filed on July 8th and if I find out that she was still alive on July 8th, I'm going to be even more devastated. Because that means that she could have been saved," said Layman.

[...]

We asked if social workers ever close a case without seeing a child. They sent us a regulation that states social workers must meet face-to-face with a child. At this point, they won't tell us if they ever saw Serenity.

[...]