Whitley County, Kentucky – Authorities in Kentucky have made arrests in the case of a missing 4-year-old girl after discovering what they believe to be her body. Brittany Slaughter, 24, and Adam Hayes, 34, the boyfriend of the child, face murder, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with evidence charges.
Chloe Darnell, who went missing in September, was not reported missing until recently, as stated by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department in a press release on Friday. The exact condition of Darnell’s body has not been disclosed, but it has been sent to the state medical examiner’s office for an autopsy and positive identification.
Initially, both Slaughter and Darnell were considered missing persons when the department launched their investigation on Tuesday. In the past month, Chloe’s family and friends began to become suspicious about her whereabouts. A sheriff’s department wellness check revealed Chloe’s body near the house and woods on Thursday night.
The following day, authorities shared photos of a 2009 red Mitsubishi Lancer, suspected to have been operated by Slaughter before her disappearance. The vehicle was subsequently found, and Slaughter’s well-being was reported as unharmed.
On Friday morning, Slaughter was arrested and booked. Hayes, who had been previously booked the evening before, now faces additional charges, including possession of a firearm, possession of marijuana, and trafficking in heroin.
While police continue to investigate, more charges against Slaughter and Hayes are expected to be filed. The community awaits further updates regarding this tragic case.