Foster mom’s harsh discipline led to the death of a teenager, say police

“Horrifying” cellphone footage shown in an Illinois courtroom last week revealed a woman laughing and taunting her 18-year-old foster daughter as the teen lay dying at the bottom of a staircase, according to reports.

Shemeka Williams, 46, is accused of murdering her foster child, Mackenzi Felmlee, in May 2024 after months of alleged abuse, according to the Fairview Heights Police Department. She was arrested last week and charged with a number of crimes in addition to allegedly killing Felmlee, including aggravated domestic battery and unlawful restraint.

Authorities were notified on May 11, 2024, of an unresponsive teen and responded to a residence on Patricia Drive in Fairview Heights, an FHPD release says. They allegedly found Felmlee inside while in the care of Williams and Felmlee”s foster grandmother, Cornelia M. Reid, 64, who is also charged with murder.

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According to local NBC affiliate KSDK, video footage of the alleged aftermath was shown in court Friday as St. Clair County Judge Sara Rice weighed whether to release Williams and Reid at a bond hearing. Felmlee could be heard wheezing while on her back at the bottom of a staircase in Williams’ home; she attempted to extend one of her legs out, as they were both folded inward to her side, but was allegedly stopped by Williams, who pushed the leg back into a folded position, per KSDK.

“She acts like she’s dead,” Williams allegedly says. “She just needs sleep.”

After these comments, the video allegedly shows Williams smacking Felmlee on her chest while lifting her up by her head and upper body. She slumps the teen over into her own lap, still unresponsive and unconscious, before telling her biological daughter — who is underage — to call Reid for help, as she was not present, according to police.

Rice reportedly condemned the footage after it was shown Friday as “horrifying” and ordered Williams to remain detained, along with Reid.

“I heard laughing and narration,” Rice said, after Williams’ defense attorney, Rob Bas, claimed she only ever tried showing “love” to Felmlee.

“It’s anything but love,” the judge blasted.

During the hearing, prosecutors pointed to Williams’ criminal complaint and presented multiple videos showing alleged instances of abuse and psychological torture that Felmlee was forced to endure, according to KSDK. This included alleged attacks with a “whooping stick” and other assaults.

“I am a doof, I hate myself,” Felmlee was allegedly forced to repeat in one clip, while facing a wall. “It is not good to manipulate,” the teen said in another, while allegedly being struck numerous times by Williams with a belt.

“Good job,” the foster mother allegedly replies. “Are you crying?”

Felmlee responds, “No, ma’am.”

In a text shown from August 2023, Williams allegedly described assaulting Felmlee, saying: “I was whooping her a—. She’s pretending to have bulimia.'” A March 2024 punishment saw Williams allegedly telling Felmlee to put “poopy underwear” into a medical mask to then put over her face, which she did, according to prosecutors. Prosecutors reportedly have photos that show Felmlee wearing the mask with the soiled underwear.

Williams’ lawyer said Friday that while she was rough on Felmlee, it was in a similar way that coaches treat players in sports, citing footage that shows Williams making Felmlee face a sign that has “Seven Rules of Life” — with phrases like, “Let it go: Never ruin a good day by thinking about a bad yesterday” and “Smile: Life is short. Enjoy it while you have it.”

“My client maintains innocence,” Bas said.

Williams has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, aggravated domestic battery, intimidation, unlawful restraint and domestic battery. She had been a foster parent for 12 years before Felmlee’s death.