Shakeima Ann Cabbagestalk was born to Shirley Cabbagestalk Harmon on December 29, 1982. Her mother was married to Sam Harmon, and the family resided in Dillon, South Carolina.
But this was not a happy or healthy household. In 1992, Shakeima accused her stepfather of molesting her. The South Carolina Department of Social Services became involved and investigated the claims. However, Shakeima’s story changed numerous times, and the DSS could find no evidence supporting her accusation. Therefore, they did not press charges against Sam.
On July 22, 1993, Shakeima, 10, visited her grandmother, Clara Cabbagestalk. Shirley became worried when Shakeima never came home and called Clara to see if Shakeima was spending the night. Clara later testified the last time she saw her granddaughter Shakeima was playing in her front yard. When Clara looked outside to check on her, the girl was gone.
Shirley then called the police. Meanwhile, Clara asked Sam about the last time he had seen his stepdaughter.
“I ain’t hurt Shakeima. I love her just like Shirley do,” Sam told Clara. She thought his response was strange.
When questioned by the police, Sam claimed he took Shakeima and her brother to the Turning Point Grocery store on South First Avenue and left the siblings at the store. He said he had not seen or heard from Shakeima since.
Apparently, nothing happened with the case for over a decade. Investigators revisited the case in 2004 and charged Sam with murder, two counts of kidnapping, and criminal sexual conduct with a minor in August 2005. Prosecutors believed Shakeima’s molestation accusations were the motive for murder. They initially sought the death penalty but later opted for life in prison and decided not to pursue the sex charge.
Shakeima’s relatives testified at Harmon’s trial in October 2008. Her uncle recalled Harmon discussing body disposal two weeks before her disappearance. Shakeima, close to her brother and grandmother, would have contacted them if possible. Although no physical evidence confirmed her death, Sam was acquitted of murder but convicted of kidnapping, receiving a twelve-year sentence with parole eligibility in 2011. He is no longer in prison and lives in Georgia. Sam maintains his innocence in her disappearance.
Foul play is suspected, but some relatives believe Shakeima is still alive. Her case remains unsolved. Shakeima would be turning 42 in December if still alive. Clara Cabbagestalk died in 2010 at age 84.
TCD’s Thoughts
It seems strange that a jury convicted Sam of kidnapping but not murder. The little girl did not run away. So, what did the jurors think happened to her? He admitted to being the last one to see her. She had accused him of molesting her. If you convicted him of kidnapping, please explain to me what happened to her because she’s missing.
There is no doubt in my mind that Sam killed her. I do not believe she is alive. And I would bet you money, he sexually assaulted her before her death. I think he drove over to Clara’s, saw Shakeima playing in the yard, and convinced her to go with him. Then, he took her somewhere and sexually assaulted and killed her. I do not believe this was a random abduction.
His story is flimsy at best. Why on earth would you leave two children at a grocery store ALONE?
Sources: The Charley Project , OurBlackGirls.com, & WMBF