FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — Two foster parents were arrested Monday in connection to the death of an 18-year-old last year, who police say was abused and "tortured" before her death.
Police began investigating Shameka Williams, 46, and Cornelia Reid, 64, over a year ago after officers responded to calls of an unresponsive woman at the their home in May of 2024.Â
When they arrived, they found 18-year-old Mackenzi Felmlee lying unresponsive at the bottom of the staircase, Fairview Heights police said in a statement Monday. They took Felmlee to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Shameka Williams, 46, faced 10 felony charges.
Medical staff noticed "significant bruising and injuries" across Felmlee's body, police say.
Williams and Reid were Felmlee's foster parents for two years before she died. Even though she was 18 at the time of her death, she was still a ward of the state of Illinois.
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Cornelia Reid, 64, is charged with murder, manslaughter and domestic assault, among other felony charges.
The investigation into her death lasted over a year, FHPD said. During one search, officers found a cellphone that had "photographic and video evidence documenting the abuse, neglect and torture of Mackenzi at the hands of Williams and Reid," according to the statement.Â
Williams and Reid are facing 10 felony charges each, including murder, domestic battery and manslaughter.
