Another little child now resides in Heaven
KAYLA MCKEAN
born: January 13, 1992 died: November 24, 1998
Her name was Kayla McKean. She lived in a small town in the Central Florida area. She was 6 years old and in the first grade. She ran, she played, she giggled, now she is silent; she was murdered.
Her father, Richard Adams, is
accused of the killing and at one point said he had done it.
On November 25th 1998, the police were called and told that Kayla was missing. They began the search and as the story hit the news, hundreds more people gathered to help.
These people spent Thanksgiving Day searching and continued through the weekend to no avail.
On Monday, November 30th, searchers were ready to begin again when Kayla's father came forward and confessed that he had killed her on Tuesday in a fit of rage because she had soiled her underpants.
In his confession, he also told the police where her little battered body was buried.
Kayla's stepmother, Marcie Adams, took police to the Ocala National Forest where Richard buried her.
Richard Adams says he has an anger problem and has tried to get help but no one would help him.
He was arrested on First Degree murder and is awaiting trial.
Little Kayla made many trips to the hospital toward the end of her short life with bruises, scratches, spider bites and other marks.
Of course it was stated once that she fell off her bike, which Kayla agreed to at the time. She spent a nite in a safe place but the next morning a Judge sent her home to her father.
That was not the only time she had been taken to the hospital with bruises, scratches and other marks on her little body. Her father admitted to "paddling" her. Investigators warned that she was in imminent danger, she was sent home again, and now she is dead.
It's so easy to point fingers saying, it's not my fault, I didn't have everything I needed to make a good judgement, but
does it matter now for Kayla?
The fact remains, not enough was done and now it's too late for Kayla and countless others caught up in the same cycle.
If you think you can't help, think again, even a prayer can help. Take some time to help a young family you think might be under stress.
Offer to baby sit a while, cook a meal, listen to a child, show them some happiness if you think they are sad. Listen to a parent who might say, "I can't deal with this", they might be sending a signal and you can possibly save a child.
If you are a parent under stress or think you have an anger problem, seek help, DEMAND help.
I will follow this story and post updates. Why? Because this little girl must not be forgotten.
Kayla will never see another Christmas or birthday or any holiday. She will never hear another story or read another poem. She will never again smell a beautiful flower or watch a tree grow, but she will know that we all care.
I have made this page for anyone who would like to leave a gift, a message, or a prayer for her. If you would like to leave something here for Kayla, please send it to me by email and I will post it with your name attached. If you have a website, send your URL as well and I will link your gift if you wish.
This is not to promote your page or bring numbers to it. It is meant as a true memorial page for Kayla to bring awareness to the horrible abuse to our children.
Please download the below graphic titled "Kayla's Story" and place it on your website with a link back to this page using the address indicated, so others can read about and leave a gift for Kayla.
Please DO NOT link from this site and DO NOT ALTER the graphics in any way!!
NOTE: If you take a button to display on your page, please email me with your name so I know where they are. Thank you.
http://www.familythenandnow.com/kayla.html
~~ UPDATES ~~
Beginning December 9, 1998 to May 15, 2000
when sentencing was announced.
December 9, 1998.
A senior attorney for Florida's child-protection agency quit under pressure Tuesday after acknowledging he allowed a judge to return 6-year-old Kayla McKean to her abusive father, who is now charged with beating her to death. (Orlando Sentinel. Dec 9 1998)
Monday December 28, 1998.
Richard Adams was arraigned in court and his attorney entered a plea of not guilty.
January 9, 1999.
"Richard Adams faces charges of first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse, tampering with evidence and medical neglect. Marcie Adams has been charged with aggravated abuse and neglect of a child." (Orlando Sentinel. Jan. 7 1999)
January 23,1999.
Documents released Friday by the State Attorney's Office in the beating death of Kayla McKean detail a child struggling with emotional problems at school and a father who provoked police suspicion immediately when he reported her missing. (Orlando Sentinel Jan 23 1999)
A new bill is being introduced by Sen. Anna Cowin, R-Leesburg. She is doing this "for all the Kayla's in the world".
Her bill being introduced will have cases of repeated abuse (as in Kayla's case) AUTOMATICALLY sent to a judge. It won't depend on if someone else THINKS a judge should see it, it would automatically go to a judge. That judge will also have the ENTIRE case file, not just sections.
No judge would be in the position of saying, "I didn't have everything". He would get the whole thing. The bill will also raise penalties for family members who stand by and do nothing while a child is being abused and they know it. (This would pertain to the stepmother in Kayla's case) If any family members knows of or has strong suspicions of abuse, they must report it by law or face harsh penalties themselves.
February 9,1999.
"Prosecutors in Clermont this morning will ask a judge to allow them to take hair samples from a man accused of beating his daughter to death. Richard Adams is charged with the murder of six-year-old Kayla McKean. Police say he allegedly set off a huge manhunt to find the little girl he reported missing in an attempt to cover his crime. Prosecutors say if they can match Adams' hair with strands of hair found on the little girl's body... it will bolster their case. The judge is expected to rule on the request this morning." (Yahoo Florida Headlines)
February 11, 1999.
"Five child-protection workers were fired Wednesday for ignoring signs of abuse and failing to protect 6-year-old Kayla McKean from her father.
All five were fired for negligence, according to state Department of Children & Families officials." (Orlando Sentinel- February 11, 1999)
February 18, 1999.
(TALLAHASSEE) "The Senate Children and Families Committee has given its unanimous approval to a proposal named after six-year-old Kayla McKean. The bill, sponsored by state Senator Anna Cowin, strengthens the penalties for child abuse... and ensures that reports phoned in by school officials or doctors are promptly investigated. Additionally, the bill would require operators at the state's abuse hot-line to record all incoming calls." (Yahoo Florida Headlines)
March 5, 1999.
Richard Adams has waived his right to a speedy trial. His trial will now begin in January, 2000. It was scheduled to begin in May of this year.
May 14, 1999.
Florida Governor, Jeb Bush signs The Kayla McKean Child Protection Act.
This is legislation that toughens child safety standards and requires the various state agencies that work to ensure the safety of Florida's children, to coordinate their efforts to prevent child abuse.
The law will require the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to maintain a master file on each child who is reportedly in an abusive home. That master file will be made available to caseworkers, judges and others who work on the case to ensure coordination and communication of all involved parties."
You can read more about this legislation HERE
Source: Executive Office Of The Governor
July 1, 1999.
As of midnight, Kayla's Law went into effect.
It might be too late to help sweet little Kayla, for whom it's named, but because of her, other children may be saved.
October 4, 1999.
DATELINE Will air the story of little Kayla McKean's death.
Dateline is on NBC. Check your local listing for the time and don't miss this!!
You will see what a beautiful little girl she was.
December 15, 1999.
A judge decided today that Richard Adam's confession of murdering his daughter will be admissable in his trial.
His attorney requested his confession not be admissable and hearings were held this week to same.
Trial was to begin in January 2000, but has been postponed until May due to illness in the Judge's family.
May 1, 2000.
Jury selection begins today from a pool of 100 people.
An earlier request for a change of venue by his attorney, was denied.
Also denied was a request by his attorney, that his confession of having beat Kayla and burying her body in the forest, not be heard by the jury.
That confession will be heard.
May 6, 2000.
Prosecutors expect to wrap up their portion of the trial today.
They had 14 witnesses among which were, a DNA expert that confirmed the blood on Kayla's clothes was hers. Another witness was Kayla's biological mother.
May 8, 2000.
It took the jury 3 hours to return their verdict this afternoon.
They found Richard Adams
GUILTY OF 1st DEGREE MURDER.
GUILTY OF AGGRAVATED CHILD ABUSE.
The jury will reconvene on Thurs. to decide if he should receive the death penalty.
May 15, 2000.
Richard Adams was sentenced to:
LIFE IN PRISON WITHOUT CHANCE OF PAROLE.
PLUS
28 YEARS FOR AGGRAVATED CHILD ABUSE.
At this time, there appears to be no move for appeals.
The graphics on this page was made exclusively
by me for use on Kayla's pages
Please be kind and do not take any of these graphics.
Angel and blocks tubes courtesy of:
Jane Braz
 
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