'Brutally Taken From Us': Man Swiftly Arrested Over Murder, Rape of 5-Year-Old Kan. Girl: Police

Mickel W. Cherry was arrested on charges of first-degree murder and rape this week, jail records show

A man was arrested less than 24 hours after the rape and killing of a young girl in Kansas this week.

Mickel W. Cherry, 25, of Topeka, was booked into the Shawnee County Jail just after 4 a.m. Tuesday on charges of first-degree murder and rape, according to online jail records reviewed by PEOPLE.

Police responded to the scene at a Topeka gas station around 6 p.m. Monday after receiving a report of a medical call, according to a press release from the Topeka Police Department. There, first responders with the Topeka Fire Department were attemping to save 5-year-old Zoey Felix’s life.

Zoey was taken to a local hospital, where she was later pronounced dead, police said. Her cause of death has not been shared by authorities.

Police said investigators “quickly determined that the death was suspicious in nature,” and swiftly identified Cherry as a suspect, the release states. He was arrested a short time later and is known to the victim, according to police.

Jail records show Cherry is being held on $2 million bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 21. It’s unclear if he has entered a plea or retained an attorney to speak on his behalf.

According to WIBW-TV, booking records show Cherry was homeless. KWCH 12 reports that he lived in the same homeless camp as Zoey's family.

Police Chief Bryan Wheeles declined to comment to WIBW-TV on the relationship between the suspect and victim, noting how additional information will be released once the district attorney’s office has made a “formalized criminal charging decision.”

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A GoFundMe campaign has been launched by Zoey’s uncle, Justin Leuty, to help offset funeral costs.

“On 10/02/23 our sweet little Zoey, my niece (from my sister) was brutally taken from us,” the fundraiser's description reads. “With this unexpected tragedy, we are asking for help to lay this precious 5 year old to rest."

Zoey was described on the GoFundMe as a "sweet, funny and goofy little girl who had a great smile and laugh that lit up the world."

Anyone with information on the case is urged to contact the Topeka Police Criminal Investigation Bureau at 785-368-9400 or email telltpd@topeka.org.

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