How Could You? Hall of Shame-Mackenzi Felmlee case-Child Death

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Belleville, Illinois, “on May 11, 2024, Fairview Heights Police officers respond to … Patricia Drive and found Mackenzi Felmlee, 18, wounded and unresponsive. She was later pronounced dead at Memorial Hospital in Belleville. An autopsy determined the cause of death is a pulmonary embolism due to blood clots, allegedly from constricting plastic bags placed on her legs. Mackenzi, who had been declared a ward of the state and placed in foster care, weighed 90 pounds at death, down from 130. Police and hospital staff observed evidence of trauma, dehydration, and injuries in several healing stages.

“In June of this year, a police investigation supported by cell phone evidence and witness testimony led to a St. Clair County grand jury indicting Shameka S. Williams, 46, and Cornelia M. Reid, 64. Charges include first-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, multiple counts of battery, intimidation, and unlawful restraint. Both are detained pending trial. Williams was Mackenzi’s foster mother, placed in charge of the girls’ care in 2019. Reid is Williams’ mother and herself a former foster care provider. Revelations about Mackenzi’s early life and the circumstances surrounding her death have shocked the metro-east and brought added scrutiny on the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services.”

In April 2020,”Mackenzi is placed in the Fairview Heights foster home of Shameka Williams under the supervision of Lutheran Child and Family Services (LCFS).”

In 2022, “Another foster girl, D.E., joins Williams’ home and later reports conditions worsening over time, alleging food and hygiene deprivation and frequent beatings by Williams.”

“Cellphone video footage presented as evidence at Williams’ and Reid’s pretrial detention hearings document a timeline of alleged abuse:
May 15, 2023: Mackenzi is recorded facing a wall and repeating, “I am somebody.”

May 31, 2023: Mackenzi is forced to repeat, “I am a doof, I hate myself.”

June 1, 2023: Mackenzi is struck multiple times and made to repeat, “It is not good to manipulate.”

July 16, 2023: Video shows Mackenzi crying for real food; she is fed only prescribed liquid shakes (recorded by foster family).

August 15, 2023: Text messages from Williams’ phone reference physical discipline.

November 2023: Mackenzi is denied water as punishment for inability to control her bodily functions.

March 3, 2024: Video/photos show her forced to wear soiled underwear over her face; Reid is visible and audible in these clips.

May 1–2, 2024: Photos show Mackenzi with severe injuries (bleeding, abrasions, bruises), reportedly caused by Reid with a “whooping stick.”

May 3, 2024: Mackenzi begs not to be hurt; Williams texts concerns about being blamed for injuries.

May 11, 2024: Videos show Mackenzi at the bottom of the stairs, in distress, with injuries to her legs. Williams is seen handling her, mocking her distress. Mackenzie later died at Memorial Hospital. Systematic breakdowns and response June–July 2025 An annual report by the DCFS Office of Inspector General shows a caseworker, not White, visited the home two days prior to Mackenzi’s death.

DCFS policies required three visits a month for foster youth. Foster and former foster children reported prior abuse by both Williams and Reid. Previous DCFS complaints were reportedly deemed “unfounded.”

DCFS has not released the required timeline or report on Mackenzi’s death, despite state law mandating such after a ward’s death or injury.”

Mackenzi’s story: Her foster care journey and the investigation into her death
[Belleville News-Democrat 8/5/25]

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