On March 12, 2018, a tragedy unfolded at a residence on Green Acres Drive in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, involving a 1-year-old female named Ja'Mariel La'Nique Tanksley. The infant was being cared for by a babysitter, Kimberly Egbuka, who was watching the child for a friend, Georgiante Purdiman. The situation at the home turned volatile in the early morning hours when the babysitter's brother, Isaac D. Egbuka, arrived at the residence.
Reports from the investigation indicated that Isaac Egbuka was intoxicated when he entered the home, leading to a domestic disturbance between the siblings.
The confrontation escalated quickly as Isaac Egbuka began to argue with his sister while she was holding the child in her arms. According to statements provided to law enforcement, the dispute turned physical when Isaac pushed his sister down. As the babysitter attempted to stand back up while still holding the baby, a gunshot was fired. The caregiver initially did not realize the weapon had been discharged until she discovered the infant had sustained a gunshot wound to the head. She later recounted to authorities that she believed her brother had intended to shoot her during the altercation but struck the child instead.
Emergency responders were called to the scene, and the injured child was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. Despite medical efforts, the wounds proved fatal, and the victim passed away shortly after the incident. Law enforcement officers arrested Isaac Egbuka, who was 29 years old at the time, and took him into custody. He was held on a $750,000 bond as prosecutors built a case against him for the violence that claimed the innocent life.
The legal proceedings against Isaac Egbuka concluded the following year. Although he was originally charged with second-degree murder, first-degree domestic assault, and armed criminal action, he eventually reached a plea agreement. In December 2018, he pleaded guilty to first-degree involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action. In February 2019, a judge sentenced him to a total of 25 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections for his role in the death.
