South Carolina Woman Sentenced to Life for Fatal Beating of 11-Year-Old Girl

A South Carolina woman has been sentenced to life in prison for the brutal beating death of an 11-year-old girl under her care. Camisha McGaskey, 32, was convicted on Friday of murder and obstruction of justice in the June 11, 2025 death of A'Kyri Bell.

Jurors heard five days of testimony detailing the violent abuse Bell endured in the days leading up to her death. Prosecutors presented evidence and witness accounts that described McGaskey repeatedly striking Bell. An autopsy determined that Bell died from blunt force trauma.

Bell had been placed in McGaskey's care in April 2025, after her father left the home. McGaskey was a distant cousin of the child. EMS workers found Bell unresponsive and without a pulse in the bathroom of a Myrtle Beach-area home. She was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

During the trial, witnesses testified that McGaskey subjected Bell to severe punishments, including beatings with a belt, hot water being thrown on her, and being struck with a mop handle. One witness claimed McGaskey would stomp on Bell's private parts and verbally abuse her, making threats of death.

Forensic pathologist Dr. Ellen Riemer testified that at the time of her death, Bell had split lips, a black eye, tears and bruises on her gums, swelling of the brain, and multiple impact sites on her face and scalp in various stages of healing. Riemer noted linear lacerations, scars, and thermal injuries on Bell's back, ultimately classifying her death as a homicide.

Evidence presented included videos and phone records. A forensic pathologist examining a video concluded that Bell was a victim of "child torture." Phone records revealed McGaskey had searched for terms related to lip injuries, swollen heads, and medication dosages for children in the weeks before Bell's death.

McGaskey's attorney argued that the state had not proven the murder charge, suggesting that fingernail clippings from the victim were overlooked and that Bell would have fought back if held underwater as prosecutors alleged. He conceded that McGaskey may have committed child abuse or torture but not murder.

Before the verdict, the defense requested the murder charge be reduced to involuntary manslaughter, arguing that the events of that day had "gotten out of hand." The judge denied the motion, stating that the evidence presented would make anyone "shudder" to consider it legal provocation.

Following McGaskey's conviction, A'Kyri Bell's father, Vernon Bell, expressed that McGaskey "got what she deserved" and that he was happy justice was served. Solicitor Jimmy Richardson stated that the verdict offers "some justice for A'Kyri's family."

Other adults present in the home also faced legal consequences. Alantis Thomas, 21, pleaded guilty to unlawfully placing a child at risk of harm. Four other adults—Lakesha Burnett, 34, Alantis Thomas, 21, Darnell Dearmas, 20, and Margaret Roberson, 56—were charged with unlawful conduct toward a child for allegedly being present during the fatal beating and failing to report it. Arrest warrants stated their "willful inaction placed the child at an ongoing and unreasonable risk of harm." Roberson and McGaskey also faced human trafficking charges, according to arrest records.