On January 31, 2022, family members reported four-year-old Serenity McKinney was reported missing. Not by her mother where Serenity lived, but of the extended family members who had not seen or heard Serenity since Christmas 2020, over a year later. Law enforcement in Shelby County, Kentucky began their search and put out an Amber Alert.
There were suggestions of abuse and neglect toward Serenity.
Catherine 'Abby' McKinney, Serenity's birth mother was arrested along with her boyfriend Dakota Hill were arrested in Kansas, in conjunction to Serenity's disappearance and subsequent death. The initial charges were for custodial interference from a judge ruling. They were extradited to Shelby County, Kentucky.
On February 18, 2022, Detectives located Serenity's little body deceased near a wooded area near the 1300 block of Skyview Road in West Point near the Jefferson-Bullitt County county line in Kentucky. Serenity's body was transferred from where she was located in Bullitt County to Louisville for an autopsy. McKinney and Hill were then charged with her murder. Additionally, they were charged with abuse of a corpse.
Dave Justice, Serenity's father reportedly received text messages from an unknown source explaining where Serenity would be located; in a suitcase. Agents had already located Serenity deceased prior to these messages.
Involved in the search and investigation for Serenity's disappearance and death included the Attorney General’s Special Victims Unit, Bullitt County Sheriff’s Office, Kentucky State Police, Louisville Metro Police Department, Radcliff Police Department, Radcliff Fire Department, the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife, the Jefferson County Search Dog Association and the U.S. Secret Service.
OBITUARY
Serenity Anne McKinney August 9, 2017-Febuary 18, 2022 Born into this world, a shining star. A new light on whomever she crossed paths with. An angel born into this world, but called home entirely too soon. Forever her memory will live on through all of us.
Serenity Anne McKinney 4, passed away on Friday, February 18, 2022.
Preceding her in death were her great grandfather, David Streeval.
Survivors include her father, David "DJ" Roller; mother, Catherine "Abby" McKinney; grandparents, Chad and Melody Roller, Brad and Aundria Davis and Daphne McKinney; great grandparents, Marvin and Janet Thompson, Bucky and Charleen Gadd, Rick and Slatha Woodruff, Brenda Ballback, Marlene Woosley, Larry Davis, Bill Darius and McQuay McKinney; uncles, Dylan Roller; aunts, Hope Henderson, Faith McKinney, Rebecca Skaggs, Julianna Davis, Alea Montgomery, Makenezie Morris, Rebecca Morris, Abby Wainscott and Miranda Tyler; many great aunts and uncles.
A Memorial Service will be conducted at Heady-Radcliffe Funeral Home at a later date.
COURT
Both Dakota Hill (Father) and Catherine Abby McKinney (Mother) have been charged with one count of Abuse of a Corpse, Murder and Custodial Interference. As of August 2022, there are no trial dates set, and court continues.
We will continue following Serenity's case in the news and courts.
Rest in Peace sweet Serenity.
