Kentucky man pleads guilty to murder of 4-year-old Serenity McKinney

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The man charged with the murder of a 4-year-old Kentucky girl entered a guilty plea in the case, effectively avoiding a trial.

Dakota Hill, 28, pleaded guilty to murder in connection with the death of Serenity McKinney, who was his girlfriend's daughter. In addition to pleading guilty to the murder charge, Hill also pleaded guilty to abuse of a corpse and tampering with physical evidence.

The commonwealth is recommending a 50-year prison sentence for murder, a five-year sentence for abuse of a corpse and a five-year sentence for tampering with physical evidence. The commonwealth's recommendation is to serve these sentences concurrently, meaning at the same time, so the total recommendation is 50 years behind bars.

A judge still has to formally sentence Hill. That sentencing has been scheduled for July 6.

Without a plea deal, the case was scheduled to go to trial next month. Bullitt County Commonwealth's Attorney Bailey Taylor said Hill could have faced the potential of life in prison at trial.

"It's important in cases that are as serious as this to get them resolved as quickly as possible," Taylor said. "While nothing can atone for the crime that was committed, we think 50 years is a just resolution in this case."

In February 2022, Serenity's maternal grandfather reported her missing in Shelby County after several loved ones hadn't seen her since Dec. 2020. Just a few weeks later, detectives found Serenity's body in a suitcase in a wooded area near the Jefferson/Bullitt county line.

In October 2022, Bullitt County Coroner David Billings released a copy of the medical examiner's report related to Serenity's death. The report listed the manner of death as a homicide but said the cause of death was "undetermined."

Taylor said this case has been a "very, very disturbing journey."

"The details that I do know, they're painful," said Serenity's paternal grandmother, Melody Roller.

Just last month, a judge sentenced Catherine "Abby" McKinney, Serenity's mother, to 12 years in prison for her involvement in Serenity's death. Catherine McKinney had been charged with murder but ultimately pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter in an April 14 plea agreement.

"Upon viewing Abby McKinney's statement, it's pretty obvious that we believe Dakota (Hill) was the primary offender," Taylor said Wednesday.

Several of Serenity's family members showed up in court Wednesday in matching t-shirts. Many times now, they're been to court together as this case has progressed. One family member audibly gasped when Hill pleaded guilty to Serenity's murder.

"She was 4 years old," Roller said. "She was a little girl. What could she have possibly done to deserve any of this?"

She said just hearing Hill's voice made her angry.

"I know I'm accepting the 50 years," she said. "Is that justice? Like I said, nothing will ever be justice. They could sentence him to 100 years. It will never be enough. Never."

Roller said she's still searching for closure and peace. She said Serenity would have graduated kindergarten this year and in August would have celebrated her 6th birthday.

"I never thought anything bad like that would ever happen to her," she said. "But, like I said, at least he will not be able to hurt another child as long as he's behind bars."

Roller said she met Hill once before while celebrating Christmas with Serenity in 2020.

"That was the last that we saw Serenity alive," Roller said. "I did not get any vibes but I was more focused on enjoying my time with Serenity, to be honest. Serenity gave me no indications that she was fearful of him because she would open up a gift and take it to them and be like, 'look, look what I got.' And they would smile, as like a little happy family."

Roller said she never thought something like this could happen to her family. After court Wednesday, she thanked community members for their continued support. She also thanked Kentucky State Police and the Shelby County Sheriff's Office for being there.

She said she wants Serenity to be remembered as a beautiful, smart little girl who was learning her ABC's, loved coloring, and was playful.

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