Zoey Felix Outrage: Police Called to Tragic 5-Year-Old’s House 23 Times Before She Was Kicked Out Then Raped and Murdered

The Kansas Department of Children and Families is facing public outrage and accusations it failed Zoey Felix, the 5-year-old girl allegedly found raped and murdered this week, after police were called 23 times in the past two years to the home where she last lived.

Topeka police were called for a welfare check at the home as recently as Sept. 5, just weeks before Zoey was allegedly assaulted and killed by family friend at a homeless camp, WIBW reported.

The young girl ended up at the encampment about two weeks after her mother reportedly kicked her and other family members out of their dilapidated house.

Neighbors, who are furious state officials did not intervene more in Zoey's life before her death, told KSNT the girl was often seen wandering their neighborhood in southeast Topeka.

Neighbor Shaniqua Bradley told the station Zoey used to come to her house, often asking for food, water and even games to play with the local kids.

“We would clean her up and comb her hair, whatever needed to be done,” Bradley said.

Lawmakers demanded answers from the state's child welfare department during a hearing on Wednesday, but agency officials said they were limited in what they could say, according to WIBW.

"I actually do not have the legal ability to say anything in a public setting until certain additional things happen and related to making a finding of abuse or neglect,” Laura Howard, secretary for children and families at DCF, said.

“And I know it sounds technical, but it’s a lot it’s really about protecting children and families.”

Neighbors told KSNT there were numerous complaints made to DCF about Zoey's wellbeing.

In the weeks before her alleged murder, her home lacked running water, and she was often seen walking around local streets unsupervised, they told the outlet.

The girl's home had no heating and the floors were littered with dog feces, neighbors have also said.

According to WIBW, a police welfare check at Holly's home on Sept. 5 found the residence lacked electricity, but authorities learned Zoey was not staying there permanently. They ultimately reported the incident to DCF.

“I just reported the neglect that was going on,” one neighbor, Sharon Williams, said. “She’s always dirty, no food unless some of us fed her, but they didn’t obviously take it serious.”

State Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau, a Democrat from Wichita, called the situation "unacceptable."

“We really need a deep dive on why is the system failing,” state Sen. Molly Baumgardner, a Louisburg Republican, said, according to KSNT.

Authorities said they responded to a medical call at a Topeka gas station around 6 p.m. Monday and found Zoey, who was rushed to a hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Mikel Cherry, a 25-year-old homeless man from Topeka, was arrested Tuesday in connection to Zoey's death. He is facing charges of suspicion of murder in the first degree and rape where the offender is 18 or older and the victim is less than 14.

Zoey reportedly knew Cherry, as she was living with him and family members at the homeless camp.

The girl's mother, Holly, has had previous run-ins with police.

In March, she pleaded guilty to a charge of felony reckless aggravated battery causing bodily harm with a deadly weapon against a victim as well as a charge to driving under the influence with a child in the vehicle.