Body of missing four-year-old discovered in Rush Springs, Oklahoma
Misty Severi
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The body of a young girl has been identified as missing 4-year-old Athena Brownfield, who was missing for several weeks, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation confirmed Thursday.
State law enforcement officers discovered the body in Rush Springs, Oklahoma, on Jan. 17, but the identity of the child was not previously confirmed. The cause of death was not released by the state’s chief medical examiner, but court documents allege that Brownfield was punched to death on Christmas by one of her caregivers.
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Authorities arrested both of Brownfield’s guardians, married couple Alysia and Ivon Adams, shortly after her disappearance. Ivon Adams, who punched Brownfield in her chest three times, according to court documents obtained by CBS, has been charged with first-degree murder. His wife was charged with child abuse and neglect.
Alysia Adams added that her husband held Brownfield up by her arms until she stopped moving. She also claimed her husband had buried Brownfield by their old house in Rush Springs instead of Cyril, where they lived at the time of Brownfield’s death.
“Due to a gag order filed in Caddo County District Court, there is no additional comment on the investigation from the OSBI,” the bureau said in a statement.
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Brownfield is survived by an unnamed 5-year-old sister who was discovered wandering around alone on Jan. 10 by a postal worker. She has since been placed in protective custody.