11-Year-Old South Carolina Girl Beaten to Death as Adults and Children Looked On

An 11-year-old girl, A’kyri Bell, was brutally beaten to death inside a Myrtle Beach, South Carolina home while adults and children allegedly watched, according to newly released arrest warrants. Bell died on June 11 from severe head injuries after being transported from the residence to a nearby hospital.

Her distant cousin and guardian, 31-year-old Camisha McGaskey, was initially charged with obstruction of justice but later faced an upgraded charge of murder. The Horry County Coroner’s Office confirmed on June 17 that Bell died from blunt force trauma and ruled her death a homicide.

Investigators discovered that Bell was not the only child subjected to abuse in the home. Seven of her siblings lived there, including a 15-year-old boy who, according to warrants, was beaten between January 1 and June 11. McGaskey’s two-year-old child, along with a three-year-old and a 14-year-old, were also present when the assaults occurred.

Four other adults — 34-year-old Lakesha Burnett, 21-year-old Alantis Thomas, 20-year-old Darnell Dearmas, and 56-year-old Margaret Roberson — were arrested and charged with unlawful conduct toward a child. Authorities allege they witnessed the fatal beating and failed to intervene or report the abuse. The warrants state their willful inaction placed Bell in ongoing danger and contributed to her death.

Burnett, Thomas, and Roberson also face obstruction of justice charges for allegedly providing false statements and attempting to destroy evidence related to the case. Roberson and McGaskey were additionally charged with human trafficking. A sixth suspect, whose name has not yet been released, is expected to face the same charges.

According to court documents, McGaskey used her hands, feet, and weapons to assault Bell and other children in the home. At the time of her arrest, McGaskey denied wrongdoing, claiming racial profiling and stating Bell had a history of fainting spells. She alleged that Bell collapsed while bathing with her sister and that she called 911 immediately upon finding her unconscious.

Police video from the Horry County Police Department shows a large law enforcement presence executing the arrest warrants. Neighbor Carol Hussel described one of the women in the home as avoiding interaction with others, noting that residents only learned the identities of those involved days later.

Bell, originally from Bay City, Texas, was remembered in her obituary as a lively child who loved dancing, sports, and was affectionately nicknamed “Ny Ny” and “Star” by family and friends. The reason she was in McGaskey’s custody remains unclear.

McGaskey, Thomas, Burnett, Dearmas, and Roberson remain in custody without bail set for McGaskey. She is being represented by a public defender.