More individuals charged in murder of 11-year-old girl in Carolina Forest
Additional adults have been charged in the investigation into 11-year-old A’Kyri Bell’s murder in Carolina Forest in June, which also led to an investigation into an alleged labor trafficking scheme.
Five individuals are facing charges of unlawful conduct toward a child, with a sixth person expected to be charged soon, according to a news release from the Horry County Police Department.
Bell died on June 11, when responders were called to a home on Sago Palm Drive in Carolina Forest, in the Sago Plantation gated community, for a report of an unconscious child, The Sun News previously reported. The call came from within the house, but it was unclear who made the call. Upon arrival, they found extensive injuries on Bell, who was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
Lakesha Burnett and Alantis Thomas face two counts, Darnell Dearmus faces one count, and Margaret Roberson and Camisha McGaskey face three counts of unlawful conduct toward a child. McGaskey was previously charged with murder in the case for allegedly inflicting the wounds that killed Bell, and has remained at J. Reuben Long Detention Center. Roberson was also already in custody at the detention center for trafficking in persons charges.
Burnett and Thomas were previously charged with obstruction of justice in the case, and were on home detention at the time of these charges. Bell’s death is tied to an ongoing investigation into the labor trafficking of minors, in which Roberson and McGaskey were charged previously. The investigation into the death prompted authorities to look into why Bell and other children were staying at the house, leading to the discovery that they were the victims of labor trafficking, Solicitor Jimmy Richardson previously told The Sun News.
The children were allegedly subjected to forced labor, including cleaning services, at various medical centers in the Conway area, arrest warrants claim.
Authorities said at the time of the initial charges in the case that Bell, from Bay City, Texas, was staying with someone believed to be her father’s cousin. It was later revealed that McGaskey was Bell’s caregiver.
Authorities initially stated that Bell was visiting from Texas, but the Horry County Schools District confirmed that Bell was enrolled at River Oaks Elementary School from Jan. 13, 2025, through June 6, 2025, the end of the school year.
Bell’s funeral and repass were held in Pledger, Texas, on on July 5, a social media post by a family member states.
This story was originally published August 12, 2025 at 12:51 PM.
