Yvonne Adams, 36, was arrested Thursday in Arizona. And is awaiting extradition to Oklahoma. Adams, who authorities say was caring for Athena Brownfield.
The search for a missing 4-year-old girl in Oklahoma. Who authorities. Believe was killed by her caretaker, has turned. Into a “recovery operation” to find her remains, officials said Monday.
The announcement from the State Bureau of Investigation comes after the couple. Who was caring for Athena Brownfield was charged in connection with her disappearance.
Authorities had been searching for Athena for days. After a postal worker found her 5-year-old sister wandering. Alone last week outside their caretakers’ home in Cyril. About 70 miles southwest of this City.
Yvonne Adams, 36, was arrested Thursday in Arizona. And extradited to the city on charges of first degree. And child neglect, the state bureau said.
His wife, Alicia Adams, 31, was arrested by the Grady County Sheriff’s Office. On two counts of child neglect in connection with the case, the state bureau said. It is not clear if either had an attorney.
Alicia Adams was related to Athena and her 5-year-old sister. The state bureau said, adding that the two siblings had been in her care for at least a year. Investigators were searching the area of Caddo County, where Cyril is located. For Athena’s remains, according to the agency.
The state bureau tried to discourage members of the public from joining the search. Warning that “individuals who search for Athena themselves may be intrusive or worse. Interfere with the investigation by potentially contaminating evidence.“
It said the sister’s biological parents are cooperating. With the investigation and have been interviewed by authorities. Athena’s sister has been taken into protective custody, the state bureau said.
