Federal charges filed in Alabama child’s abduction, slaying

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A couple held on state murder charges in the slaying of an Alabama toddler last year have now been indicted on federal charges, authorities said Wednesday.

Patrick Devone Stallworth, 40, and Derick Irisha Brown, 29, were named in U.S. District Court on kidnapping and conspiracy charges, prosecutors said in a news release.

The two, whom authorities have described as boyfriend and girlfriend, are accused in the abduction of 3-year-old Kamille “Cupcake” McKinney, who was taken from a Birmingham housing community in October and found dead 10 days later.

Stallworth and Brown were previously charged in state court with capital murder. Defence lawyers have said they are innocent. Police have testified that the two blamed each other for what happened to the girl.