Kameill Taylor, 12, was walking to the school bus stop around 6 a.m. on January 11 when she was abducted and abused by an unknown person. Two days later, police found her barely alive in an abandoned building at 5325 Terry Ave., near St. Louis Avenue and Kingshighway Boulevard.
On Friday, January 20, a group of about 15 residents stood on the steps of that abandoned building and vowed to hold neighborhood patrols every morning to ensure children get safely to their bus stops and schools.
“There is no better thing we can to do than to mobilize and ensure the safety of our children,” said Azim Aziz, a resident who lives nearby. “If we cannot protect our children, then we are worthless.”
While he does not know personally Taylor and her family, Aziz said he and other neighbors felt compelled to do something. The group calls themselves “Neighbors Against Violence to Children.” Their patrol will include the entire First Ward.
“This morning while we were doing our street patrol, we were further outraged to find numerous vacant buildings that were unsecured and open,” Aziz said. “We are making a list of those now to give those to the city. They need to be secured right away.”
Rev. Clyde Crumpton, pastor of Cote Brilliante Presbyterian Church, said one way the city can help is to provide churches and nonprofits access to these vacant buildings for development.
“There is a need for low-income housing,” Crumpton said. “We are presenting ourselves to help in that development process to prepare houses for families who are in need.”
According to police, Taylor left her residence in the 5300 block of Labadie at approximately 6:10 a.m. to walk to the bus stop. Taylor typically walked south on Abner Place, to Terry Avenue where she would meet a friend to walk to the bus stop at Maffitt Avenue and Union Boulevard. She never showed up at her friend’s house or at Carr Lane Middle School. Kameill’s mother, Shonta Taylor, told police it is unusual behavior, and she has never disappeared before.
Police and the FBI were searching through all abandoned buildings when they found her alone in the building late that Friday, January 13.
On January 21, police announced that they had arrested a suspect, Tyrone Butler, 20, of the 2800 block of Abner Place. The Circuit Attorney’s Office issued warrants for two counts of assault in the first degree, sodomy, kidnapping and armed criminal action. A judge ordered a $500,000 cash-only bond.
At the press conference, resident Benita Tops questioned why she didn’t receive an Amber Alert for Taylor.
“We have several missing girls,” Tops said. “I’ve never seen an Amber Alert for a child of color.”
A police spokesperson said the case did not meet the criteria to issue an alert and provided an online link to the necessary criteria. It states that, “There is reasonable belief by law enforcement that an ‘abduction’ has occurred.”
However, this response perplexed Gloria Muhammad, a candidate for Ward 3 alderman in the March 7 primary election.
“The word ‘abduction’ may need to be changed or we should add the word ‘missing’ to the criteria,” Muhammad said. “There are several children who come to mind who were listed as ‘missing’ and it was later determined that they were abducted. [Taylor’s] time in peril may have been reduced or eliminated if there had been an Amber Alert.”
On January 14, Kameill’s uncle, Andrew Black Jr., established an online fundraising page to help the family with her costs of her recovery.
“As a family, we’ve recently experienced heartbreaking turmoil and trauma,” Black wrote on the page. “With God Almighty being in control, wounds will heal and scars will fade away! Her mother, Shonta Taylor has been an outstanding warrior standing firm during this whole ordeal.”
Aziz said that they are all praying for the Taylors and Kameill’s recovery.
“I have a daughter,” Aziz said. “The best way that I can protect my daughter is to protect your daughter. We cannot just be concerned about ourselves. We have to be concerned about each other.”
The fundraising account for the Taylor family is at www.gofundme.com/kameill-taylors-recovery.
Those interested in learning more or participating in the neighborhood patrol are encouraged to call Azim Aziz at 314-499-4200 or emailing Azim.aziz@yahoo.com.
