17 January 2023 , 23:44
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The body of a child has been recovered by authorities searching for missing four-year-old Athena Brownfield.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation was unable to confirm whether the remains, located near the town of Rush Springs, were those of Athena – who was reported missing a week ago.
In a news release on Tuesday, the OSBI confirmed the body will be transported to a medical examiners office in Oklahoma City for identification.
Athena was reported missing on January 10 when a mail carrier found her five-year-old sister alone outside their home in Cyril, Oklahoma, and alerted the police.
Court documents released on Tuesday show that the children's care giver, Alysia Adams, told investigators that her estranged husband Ivon Adams beat Athena to death on Christmas Day and buried her body near their former home in Rush Springs.
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Ivon Adams was arrested in Arizona and faces extradition back to Oklahoma (Uncredited/AP/REX/Shutterstock)Ivon, 36, and Alysia, 31, had been caring for Athena and her sister Adina for two years. They are related to Alysia.
The Daily Mail reported that documents have revealed that Ivon allegedly hit Athena three times after laying her on the ground.
Alysia reportedly told investigators that the attack happened close to midnight on Christmas and, when Athena failed to move after being repeatedly struck, Ivon drove with her to Rush Springs and buried her.
Alysia revealed she knew what had happened during a police interview on January 12.
Ivon allegedly told Alysia that he buried Athena near a fence line that was next to their old residence in Rush Springs, adding that he had placed a broken branch over the makeshift grave.
Alysia Adams has also been arrested in connection with two cases of child neglect (Uncredited/AP/REX/Shutterstock)When authorities checked Ivon's phone records, they reportedly showed him leaving the home in the early hours of Boxing Day morning and travelling to Rush Springs before returning at around 4.15 a.m.
Ivon was arrested in Arizona on Thursday and is awaiting extradition to Oklahoma to face a murder charge. Alysia has also been arrested over two charges of child neglect.
Athena and Adina had reportedly not been taken to a doctor for any check-ups and were never enrolled at a school.
Adina told authorities that she was “tired of being alone” after being left at home on her own, according to court documents.
The sisters' biological parents are co-operating with the investigation.
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