Nationwide — Zaela Walker, an African American girl from Las Vegas, Nevada, was reported missing as a toddler in 2018. After nearly 8 years, her parents pleaded guilty to killing her after years of uncertainty, closing a long-unsolved case that had no remains or clear answers.
Authorities said Ricky Beasley, 34, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, while Lakeia Walker, 35, pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact. Both entered plea deals tied to Zaela’s disappearance and death.
Police said Zaela’s body was never found. She would have turned ten this year, but investigators were unable to recover any physical remains.
According to the Daily Mail, North Las Vegas Police said Zaela was last seen on August 15, 2018. She was with her father while her mother attended a job interview.
Later that day, the parents met at a park. Investigators said Beasley refused to return the child to Walker during that meeting.
Walker later contacted authorities, saying Zaela needed medical attention due to a swollen lymph node. Police also said Beasley demanded $13,000 in exchange for returning the child.
According to investigators, Beasley’s mother later reported hearing a loud thump and seeing him carry Zaela to the bathroom. He allegedly claimed the child had an accident and reacted in anger. Officials said this was the last time anyone outside the parents saw her alive.
The following day, Beasley searched online for seizure treatments and looked into whether marijuana could help. He also visited a cannabis dispensary and bought a pre-rolled joint, police said.
On August 22, investigators said the parents met again at a park. Walker left behind her phone, wallet, and car before leaving Nevada with Beasley in a vehicle belonging to his mother.
Authorities said the pair traveled across multiple states and later entered Mexico after briefly returning to Nevada in September 2018 to collect money.
Police stopped them in Texas on November 16 as they allegedly tried to start new lives under the radar.
Beasley was arrested on December 1, 2018, while Walker was arrested in March 2019. A grand jury indicted both of them later that year.
Sentencing is set for July 23. Court records show Beasley faces 10 to 25 years in prison or life with parole eligibility after 10 years, while Walker faces up to five years.