An autopsy for 3-year-old Kamille "Cupcake" McKinney revealed she ingested methamphetamine and a sedative before she was killed. The little girl's body was found in a dumpster after being kidnapped by two people during a birthday party in Alabama, Blavity previously reported.
During a preliminary hearing for Patrick Stallworth, a suspect in the death of McKinney, on Tuesday, prosecutors said candy was used to lure the little girl into an SUV on October 12, according to WBMA.
Stallworth was reportedly in the area because his girlfriend, Derick Brown, wanted to see if her child's father was in the neighborhood.
Jonathan Ross, a detective, testified during the hearing and said he spoke with children who attended the birthday party and allegedly saw a couple handing out candy in an SUV. One of the children said he saw McKinney in the SUV crying. Another child said she had been offered candy by the couple while she was leaving cheerleading practice.
According to Yahoo News, surveillance video from a nearby gas station showed Stallworth buying $18 worth of candy.
The 39-year-old later admitted to passing out candy to children near the birthday party, including the cheerleader. However, he said he allegedly saw McKinney for the first time with Brown after he arrived at their apartment. Stallworth said the two were sitting on a sofa and watching tv.
WBMA reported Stallworth said Brown, 29, wanted to "keep" McKinney after he told her "that's not your child." Brown then told him to sexually assault the 3-year-old. Detectives were unable to determine if McKinney had indeed been sexually assaulted due to the decomposition of her body. McKinney was also reportedly given meth and a sedative meant to treat insomnia before being killed.
Stallworth said after coming back inside from smoking a cigarette, Brown allegedly put her hand over McKinney's mouth and nose, killing her, according to WBMA. Her cause of death was later determined to be asphyxiation.
Ross revealed during the hearing that Stallworth said Brown then took off McKinney's clothes and hair bows and gave her a bath.
The detective also testified that child pornography was found on Stallworth's phone and his DNA was found on a plastic mattress cover in the apartment along with McKinney's and Brown.
The couple is charged with capital murder of a victim less than 14 years old. Brown is expected to be in court on Friday.