Mom Who Reported 5-Year-Old Daughter’s Kidnapping Is Now Charged With Her Murder

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Kamarie Holland
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It's been more than two weeks since 5-year-old Kamarie Holland was found dead inside an abandoned home in Phenix City, Alabama. Since then, police have charged 37-year-old Jeremy Williams with the young girl's kidnapping and murder, but this week, investigators made it clear that Williams may not be the only one responsible for her death. On December 28, Kamarie's mother was also arrested in connection with the girl's death and faces multiple charges, including felony murder.

Kamarie Holland was initially reported missing on December 13.

According to her mother, 35-year-old Kristy Siple, Kamarie's father had primary custody of the girl at his home in Phenix City, but at the time of her disappearance, the 5-year-old was staying with her mother in Columbus, Georgia.

Siple claimed that she awoke that morning to find her daughter had suddenly vanished without a trace and noticed that the front door had been left wide open. This prompted the mother to dial 911 around 6 a.m., kicking off an exhaustive search for the little girl that took investigators across state lines.

By nightfall, Kamarie had finally been located.

Sadly, however, she was not found alive.

The 5-year-old's body was discovered inside a vacant home on 15th Avenue in Phenix City, which is just six miles from where she'd gone missing in Columbus.

“She was deceased and the manner of death at this time looks to be asphyxiation," Russell County Sheriff Heath Taylor said at the time, according to WTVM.

"It did appear from the scene that there was some sexual abuse," the sheriff added.

A fast-paced investigation eventually led police to Williams.

On December 14, the Alabama man was officially charged with capital murder in the rape, sodomy, and kidnapping of Holland. Court documents stated that Williams likely kidnapped the child right from her bed December 13 and brought her to the Phenix City home — where he'd once been known to live — to sexually assault her. But at some point during the crime, either before or after the abuse took place, Williams is believed to have strangled the 5-year-old.

Police seemed confident that they had their main suspect in custody. But even so, there remained several key questions, including why Williams had chosen Kamarie Holland as his victim in the first place and how he managed to take her from her mother's home while escaping detection.

At the time, Kristy Siple insisted that her daughter's kidnapping and murder was a complete and total shock.

When rumors swirled that the mother might have known Williams prior to the incident — and, more importantly, that she might have had something to do with it — Siple, who sometimes used the name Kristy Hoskins, maintained her innocence.

"I’m a mommy. I did not have nothing to do with this,” Siple said earlier this month, according to WTVM. “She was my life. I lived for her daily. She was my only girl. I have three boys and her.”

Siple described her daughter as "perfect" and an absolute "blessing" in her life.

The grieving mother told WTVM that Kamarie was a sweet and caring child, who once saw another little girl without shoes on at a gas station and asked her mother what they could do to help.

"'Mommy we can help them?"' Siple recalled her daughter asking. "'Mommy because I have so many pairs of shoes at home.'"

But just days after Kamarie's death, Siple was already giving away her child's things.

An article published by WTVM on December 15 noted that the mother swung by the news station's annual toy drive to donate some of Kamarie's items and talk about the loss of her beloved daughter.

“I’m Kamarie Holland’s mommy and she wouldn’t want nothing in the world but to donate her toys to another little child that was in need because she was a very helping child,” Siple told the news outlet.

It soon became clear to police, however, that Siple was more involved than she was letting on.

During the investigation, detectives learned that Williams and Siple had a relationship prior to Kamarie's disappearance. The exact timeline of this, however — as well as the nature of their relationship — has not been revealed.

At the moment, police haven't released many details about Siple's arrest or the exact evidence they have against her. But according to court documents, the 35-year-old mother is facing four felony charges, including murder and human trafficking, in connection with the death of Kamarie Holland.

In the days since, Kamarie's heartbroken father has spoken out — and he certainly hasn't held back his anger at his ex.

"The amount of pain Kristy has caused by ripping Kamarie out of our lives will never cease," read a statement that Corey Holland recently gave WRBL. "We are glad to see that she has been arrested. We are one step closer to justice for Kamarie. It's our hope that justice is served. Kristy should receive whatever the maximum penalty she can get."

Holland added that the girl's mother is "a monster" and that "a real mother protects and would die for her children."

"My family and I will continue to wrestle with the loss of losing our angel Kamarie," Holland continued. "We will ask that you continue to make your news about her and the justice she deserves."

It is not yet clear whether Siple has acquired a lawyer, but she has certainly not entered a plea.

As for Williams, he has not yet entered a plea either, though he does face the death penalty if convicted.

During a press conference held Wednesday, the sheriff couldn't help but remark on the darkness in society that stories like these uncover.

"Please, parents, take care of your kids. Watch your kids. Be careful who your kids are around, shouldn't have to state that, but it never hurts to remind everybody," Taylor said. "This is a, this is a bad world."

If you would like to support Kamarie's family during this time, a GoFundMe page has been set up in her memory.

Kaitlin Stanford
Freelancer