Man Charged in Chase that Ended in Girl’s Death

An eastern Kansas man is charged with first-degree murder after an abduction and police chase ended in the death of a 5-year-old girl.

Thirty-year-old Marcus McGowan, of Atchison, was charged Wednesday with aggravated assault, two counts of criminal possession of a firearm, aggravated endangering of a child and trying to elude law enforcement officers.

Leavenworth County prosecutor Todd Thompson announced at a news conference that McGowan appeared in court early Wednesday and had the charges read to him. He is being held in the Leavenworth County jail.

Authorities say McGowan abducted Cadence Harris on Friday from a home they shared with the girl’s mother in Atchison. Cadence was found dead in McGowan’s car after a police chase ended with McGowan being shot when he pointed a gun at officers.