Missing Oklahoma girl: 2nd caregiver arrested in Phoenix on felony warrant for murder

PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5/AP) — As law enforcement search for a missing 4-year-old Oklahoma girl named Athena Brownfield, a second caregiver has been arrested, this time in Phoenix, on a felony warrant for murder. Police took 36-year-old Ivon Adams into custody Thursday around 5 p.m. near 67th Avenue and Camelback Road. According to court documents, the felony warrant issued out of Oklahoma was for first-degree murder and child neglect. Adams appeared before a judge on Friday afternoon, where he waived his right to an extradition hearing. That means Oklahoma law enforcement has 30 days to come in and pick him up.

Authorities earlier arrested Alysia Adams, 31, on two counts of child neglect, the bureau said in a statement late Thursday. Alysia Adams remained jailed in Oklahoma’s Caddo County on Friday. The bureau released no further details about the arrests or the suspects’ relationship. It was not known if either suspect had an attorney to comment on their behalf. A bureau spokesperson did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment Friday.

The bureau said that the arrests are related to the search for Athena, who was reported missing Tuesday in Cyril, about 70 miles southwest of Oklahoma City. A postal carrier found Athena’s 5-year-old sister wandering alone outside Adams’ home Monday afternoon and alerted Cyril police. Authorities then determined that Athena was missing.

The girls had been in the care of Adams and her husband, and Athena’s sister was taken into protective custody, the bureau said Wednesday. Authorities said they believe Athena was wearing a hoodie with a butterfly design when she disappeared. The bureau said it was working with other law enforcement agencies and volunteers in the search, which included a helicopter, boats, all-terrain vehicles, a specially trained ground team, and a review of surveillance video from around Cyril.

The city of Cyril has also suspended trash service as investigators search for clues. The bureau said agents were following up on tips coming from Oklahoma and other states.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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