An Oklahoma man arrested in Arizona in the disappearance of 4-year-old Athena Brownfield was taken into custody on warrants for first degree murder and child neglect.
Ivon Adams was arrested late Thursday in Phoenix, just hours after his wife, Alysia Adams, was arrested in Oklahoma, KFOR reported. The Adamses were caregivers for Athena and her 5-year-old sister, who was found wandering alone outside the Adams home in Cyril by a mail carrier on Tuesday afternoon, as CrimeOnline previously reported.
Alysia Adams was charged with two counts of child neglect at her arrest. She appeared before a judge on Friday and was ordered held on a $1 million bond.
Ivon Adams waived his right to extradition at his first court appearance in Arizona, saying he wanted to get back to Oklahoma and “fight this,” and is expected to be returned to Oklahoma shortly.
It’s unclear if new information has been gathered, prompting the murder charge against him. Also unclear is when he fled to Arizona.
The initial Arizona court filing says that evidence of “child homicide” was found on his cell phone.
Ivon Neil Adams Form IV Redacted by kc wildmoon on Scribd
The 5-year-old girl is now in the care of child protective services.
This is a developing story. Check back for more information.
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast.
[Featured image: L-R, Ivon Adams/Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, Athena Brownfield/Cyril Police Department, Alysia Adams/Caddo County Sheriff’s Offfice]