A Nevada mother and father have admitted to their roles in the death of their 3-year-old daughter, Zaela Walker, whose disappearance remained a mystery for years. Ricky Beasley, 34, and Lakeia Walker, 35, recently pleaded guilty in connection with the child’s 2018 death and the effort to hide her body, which has still not been found.
Parents Plead Guilty
Beasley pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, while Walker pleaded guilty to accessory to commit murder. Prosecutors say the couple secretly disposed of Zaela’s body after she died from injuries caused during a violent punishment.
According to investigators, Beasley became angry after Zaela wet her pants and allegedly threw the little girl against a wall. Police believe she suffered fatal trauma or a serious health-related injury as a result.
Grandmother Helped Investigators
The case took a major turn when Beasley’s mother spoke to police. She told investigators she witnessed Beasley becoming furious with Zaela before hearing a loud thud. She later saw him holding the crying child in his arms.
Authorities also discovered that Beasley searched online for “how to stop seizures in young children” shortly after the incident.
Efforts to Hide the Crime
For months, the couple claimed Zaela was staying with relatives. However, investigators later learned the child was likely already dead.
Police said Walker made statements suggesting she knew what had happened. She reportedly told investigators that the trunk of a vehicle used by Beasley smelled “like rotten meat.” Prosecutors said Beasley kept the child away for several days before asking Walker to help clean the vehicle.
Court documents state the pair used a vacuum and lemon-scented ammonia to remove the smell from the trunk.
Investigators also uncovered jail phone calls where Walker allegedly told Beasley, “You always say no body, no crime.”
Sentencing Scheduled
Beasley is expected to receive a prison sentence of 10 to 25 years with the possibility of parole. Walker could face between one and five years in prison.
Both are scheduled to be sentenced on July 23.
