After three days of testimony, a federal jury has convicted a Birmingham woman on kidnapping related charges in connection to the 2019 abduction and death of three-year-old Kamille "Cupcake" McKinney.
U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama Prim F. Escalona announced Derick Irsha Brown, 32, had been found guilty of kidnapping and conspiracy to kidnap a minor victim in a Nov. 17 news release.
“Last month, a jury convicted Patrick Stallworth and today, the jury convicted the other defendant charged with kidnapping this young child. Kamille McKinney’s loss is felt not only by her family, but also by our entire community," Escalona said in the release. “While these prosecutions cannot bring her back, Stallworth and Brown will never be able to threaten or harm another child. We thank our local, state and federal partners for their efforts to remove the threat posed by these dangerous criminals.”
Brown's conviction comes a month after coconspirator Patrick Stallworth was found guilty. According to a release, the jury believed the two worked together to kidnap the girl. Stallworth faces a life sentence.
Evidence presented during the trial revealed Brown and Stallworth traveled to the Tom Brown Housing Development Oct. 12, 2019, and kidnapped McKinney in a Toyota Sequoia they were driving, the release stated. The child's body was found more than a week later.
“While I applaud today’s verdict, the only proper outcome in this matter would be to have Kamille returned to her family," Acting Special Agent in Charge Felix A. Rivera-Esparra said in the release. "Brown’s heinous actions cut short a precious life that can never be replaced."
