Photo courtesy of the Texas Department of Corrections
In May 2001, Kerry Dimart Allen became notorious in Houston for a crime that horrified the community. At 41 years old, Allen was convicted of capital murder for the violent death of 2-year-old Kienna Lashay Baker. This heartbreaking case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of protecting society’s most vulnerable members.
A Troubled Past
Before this horrific event, Allen already had a criminal history that raised serious red flags. In 1986, he was convicted of sexually assaulting two boys, aged 4 and 8. These convictions should have been a warning to those around him. Sadly, his past offenses foreshadowed the tragedy to come.
The Day of the Tragedy
On May 10, 2001, Kienna’s life was brutally taken. Testimony during Allen’s trial revealed that he viciously assaulted and beat the child while her mother, Kim Jones, was at work.
Jones returned home early after Allen called her, claiming there was an emergency. She found Kienna lying lifeless on the floor, with a jar of Vaseline nearby. A post-mortem examination later revealed that Kienna had been sexually assaulted and suffered fatal injuries from repeated blows to her chest and abdomen.
Allen fled the scene when paramedics arrived, but he turned himself in later.
The Trial
The trial brought harrowing details to light. Prosecutor Marcy McNutt described Kienna’s suffering, stating that she had been “sucker punched time and time and time again.” The prosecution presented compelling evidence that left no doubt about Allen’s involvement.
Allen’s defense lawyer, Skip Cornelius, attempted to shift blame onto Kienna’s mother. He argued that the child might have already been dead before Jones left for work and pointed out the lack of DNA evidence tying Allen to the sexual assault. However, the jury found the evidence and testimony against Allen overwhelming.
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A Guilty Verdict
Allen was found guilty of capital murder and later sentenced to death. While this decision brought some sense of justice, it could never undo the pain or bring Kienna back.
Lessons from Tragedy
This devastating case highlights the importance of vigilance in protecting children and preventing repeat offenders from causing further harm. Allen’s prior convictions and the system’s failure to monitor him effectively emphasize the need for stronger measures to safeguard the vulnerable.
Moving Forward
Kienna Lashay Baker’s tragic story is a sobering reminder of the consequences of unchecked violence. While justice was served in this case, the community’s grief remains. Stories like this should motivate us to create better systems for protecting children and holding offenders accountable.
Kerry Dimart Allen’s case stands as a call to action. We must remain vigilant, learn from these tragedies, and work tirelessly to prevent such horrors in the future. Kienna’s story, though heartbreaking, serves as a reminder of the need for justice, awareness, and change.
Lisa Crow contributed to this article. She is a true crime junkie and lifestyle blogger based in Waco, Texas. Lisa is the Head of Content at Gigi’s Ramblings and Southern Bred True Crime Junkie. She spends her free time traveling when she can and making memories with her large family which consists of six children and fifteen grandchildren.
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