Police arrest 2nd kidnapper involved in missing Oklahoma girl
(CNN, KYMA/KECY) - Two caregivers are now in custody in connection with the disappearance of a four-year-old girl from Oklahoma.
She went missing earlier this week.
Authorities arrested Ivon Adams in Arizona on Thursday just hours after police arrested his wife in Oklahoma.
Ivon Adams, now behind bars in Arizona for murder, while his wife Alysia Adams is in jail for child neglect in Oklahoma; all connected to the disappearance of the little girl they're caregivers for: four-year-old Athena Brownfield.
"I'm thankful that all these people are here to help find her," said Athena's grandmother Penny Brownfield.
Background
Athena's paternal grandmother Penny Brownfield, one of dozens of people in Cyril, southwest of Oklahoma city searched for Athena; reported missing tuesday afternoon.
According to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI), a postal worker found Athena's five-year-old sister wandering outside her home alone Monday, and knew something was wrong.
The next day, a search officially began for Athena after authorities declared her as a missing child.
Authorities then arrested one of the girls' caregivers, Alysia Adams, Thursday on two counts of child neglect. However, her husband, Ivon Adams, was nowhere to be found.
While the OSBI wouldn't say much, they did say this, "We are actually getting tips from across Oklahoma as well as multiple other states."
Unexpected arrest
Then, an unexpected arrest of Ivon Adams occurred on Thursday, but in phoenix. Adams has a felony warrant issued out of Oklahoma for child neglect and first degree murder despite Athena still being missing.
Adams appeared in court Friday and waived his right to an extradition hearing.
"I want to get there and take care of it. I don't want a hearing here," Adams spoke.
That means oklahoma authorities have 30 days to come and get him.
The OSBI did not give any details Friday on how and why Ivon got to Arizona, or what evidence they have to charge him with child homicide when Athena is still missing.
Authorities believe Athena was wearing a hoodie with a butterfly design on it when she disappeared.
The little girl's grandma said earlier this week, their family situation is complicated and personal, but Athena's five-year-old sister is safe in protective custody.
As for little Athena, she will not stop searching until she is found.
"She looks just like my daughter Megan. Just a loss for words," said Athena's grandmother Penny.
If Oklahoma authorities do not come get Ivon Adams from Maricopa county within 30 days, then the county will release him. However, the first degree murder warrant will not go away.
