Athena Brownfield: Search for missing Oklahoma girl turns into 'recovery operation' of 4-yr-old's body
CYRIL, OKLAHOMA: Athena Brownfield, a four-year-old child has been missing since Tuesday, January 10. Athena Brownfield was reported missing around 2 pm from the 200 block of West Nebraska in Cyril. Authorities were trying to locate the child ever since she has been reported missing.
The search for the child is now being considered a recovery operation by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. "Special Agents from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, along with our partners at the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP), have been searching areas of Caddo County for the toddler's remains," stated OSBI as per CBS News.
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After her 5-year-old elder sister was discovered alone by a postal worker at around 2 pm in front of the home of the children's guardians, Ivon Adams and Alysa, the world learned that Athena was missing. Meanwhile, both the children had been in the Adams' care for "at least a year." Ivon, 36, and Alysa, 31, were taken into custody on Thursday, January 12. Further, the elder sister is under protective custody.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol's emergency response squad and neighborhood volunteers were involved in the authorities' week-long intensive search. Additionally, they searched the area's waterways and every known abandoned home.
A post on the Official Facebook page of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation read, "UPDATE: SUSPECT FACING MURDER COUNT IN CONNECTION WITH DISAPPEARANCE OF FOUR-YEAR-OLD CYRIL GIRL. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, GRADY COUNTY, Okla. (January 13, 2023) - The male suspect in the disappearance of Athena Brownfield, 4, is facing a murder count in Oklahoma. Ivon Adams (3/12/1986) is awaiting extradition to Oklahoma on one count of Murder in the First Degree and one count of Child Neglect. He was taken into custody yesterday Arizona and is currently in the Maricopa County Jail."
Further, it read, "Alysia Adams (10/5/1991) was also arrested yesterday and remains in the Caddo County Jail facing two counts of Child Neglect. Alysia and Ivon Adams were Athena's caretakers when she disappeared. Athena's five-year-old sister was also in their care. She was located Tuesday, January 10, 2023, near the Adams' residence at 225 W. Nebraska in Cyril. A postal carrier found the child and notified local police that she was unattended. The five-year-old is in protective custody. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) continues efforts to locate Athena. Anyone with any information should contact the OSBI at (800) 522-8017 or email tips@osbi.ok.gov. You can remain anonymous. There is no additional information to release at this time."
'This is a terrible story. Everybody let this child down'
The Internet quickly reacted to the recent update in the case. A user on Reddit said, "Poor sweet baby. Never had a chance. I'll never understand how anyone could ever harm a child. Even in the heat of the moment.... how do you get that kind of angry at a baby?" Another claimed, "Once again, a child lost because of failed parents." "This is a terrible story. Everybody let this child down, charge every damn one of them," wrote a user. A comment read, "A failed parent is one that doesn't accept their child for who they are or doesn't attempt to prepare them for the world. This is something far worse." Another added, "Those who force births should have to hold newborns screaming in pain from drug withdrawals."
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.