SC woman called ‘rat,’ allegedly beaten by sisters for talking to police about murder
They called their sister a “rat” and a “snitch” for her statement to police about the brutal beating death of an 11-year-old girl last year in the Myrtle Beach area, according to police.
They then allegedly assaulted and threatened to kill the sibling for the information she provided about the case.
Alantis Armani Thomas, 22, and Lakesha Lasha Burnett, 34, appeared in court Tuesday after being arrested for the threats on Feb. 6, 2026, charged with intimidation of a witness and assault and battery.
Burnett shook her head and Thomas began to cry as a representative with the Horry County Solicitor’s Office explained the case to the judge, noting that A’Kyri Bell lived in a true “house of horrors.”
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Both women were denied bond on their new charges, and returned to J. Reuben Long Detention Center to await a hearing regarding their home detention.
It is not known what information Alexandria Thomas provided to police about the death of A’Kyri, but the state’s attorney said that she did the “right thing,” telling police what went on in the home. All three women have been charged for their involvement in the little girl’s death and a human trafficking ring that took place in the home where the preteen was staying.
A’Kyri’s case has made headlines as more information slowly comes to light about how the girl and her siblings ended up with their caregiver in a home in a gated community, performing unpaid cleaning labor at medical centers in the area. It is unclear how long A’Kyri had been living in the home before she was killed in June 2025.
Both Alantis Thomas and Burnett were charged in August 2025 with two counts of unlawful conduct toward a child. The two women were released after posting bond. Alexandria Thomas faces charges of placing a child at risk or harm while having custody and was released on home detention.
Sisters were living in Myrtle Beach motel
Alexandria Thomas had been living with Burnett and Alantis Thomas at the Viking Motel, 1811 S. Ocean Blvd. in Myrtle Beach, but ongoing issues between the three forced Alexandria to get her own room on Feb. 2, according to a Myrtle Beach Police report.
When she returned to the room to get the remainder of her items, a verbal altercation turned physical, the report said. The women began to throw Alexandria’s items out of the room and then allegedly pulled her hair and punched her in the back of the head, the report said.
The issues between the siblings apparently stem from the murder investigation of A’Kyri and a statement that Alexandria made to police, an arrest warrant said. The two women threatened and assaulted Alexandria, calling her a “rat” and “snitch” for talking to police, the warrant said.
During Tuesday’s court hearing, the state said videos exist of the torture that went on in the home before A’Kyri’s death.
Burnett and Alantis Thomas threatened to kill Alexandria Thomas for the information she shared with authorities, the state’s attorney said. The state’s attorney said that Alexandria Thomas is “legitimately in fear for her life.”
However, it was revealed during the hearing that the victim’s advocate was unable to get in contact with Alexandria Thomas before Tuesday’s hearing.
They called her ‘mama’
At least six people have been arrested related to the human trafficking investigation. It appears that those allegedly involved are all related or otherwise connected.
A’Kyri, from Bay City, Texas, was dropped off in the Myrtle Beach area, along with other children, by her father. What happened in the Carolina Forest area home from the time the preteen arrived was described as a “horrific crime” by Horry County Police Chief Kris Leonhardt.
Her death led to the discovery of a human trafficking ring and arrests, including Camisha McGaskey, 31, who has been charged with the murder of A’Kyri. A’Kyri died from head wounds, according to the coroner’s office. The children were left in McGaskey’s care.
All of the children in the house called McGaskey “Mama,” but she was not the mother of any of them, according to Horry County Solicitor Jimmy Richardson.
Who has been arrested
Horry County Police announced in August further charges and arrests associated with the preteen’s death.
McGaskey, Burnett, Alantis Thomas, Margaret Roberson and Darnell Dearmas were charged with multiple counts each of unlawful conduct toward a child.
McGaskey received additional charges for reportedly striking a 15-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy with various objects as well as her hands and feet, which was discovered during the investigation into A’Kyri’s death, according to arrest warrants. McGaskey also allegedly caused harm to multiple children in the presence of her 12-year-old daughter, who was also in the house.
Thomas is accused of being present in the house for multiple instances of abuse by McGaskey, and knowingly allowing it to happen, while also allowing her 3-year-old daughter to be present and participate in these events, according to arrest warrants.
Dearmas, 20, is accused of knowingly allowing McGaskey’s abuse to take place, as is Burnett, who allowed her 14-year-old daughter to witness the events.
Roberson is accused of knowingly allowing McGaskey’s abuse.
McGaskey was charged with obstruction of justice in the case, alongside Burnett, 34, and Thomas, 21, for providing “known false statements” and attempting to obscure or destroy evidence, arrest warrants said. Such evidence included mops, towels and bedding, which officers discovered in trash bags within the home. These items tested “presumptively positive for blood,” according to the warrants.
Based on public records, it appears that McGaskey and Burnett were roommates. It was also revealed Tuesday that Burnett previously lived in Texas, where A’Kyri came from.
This story was originally published February 10, 2026 at 2:40 PM.
