WHITLEY COUNTY, KENTUCKY: On Friday, November 18, the Whitley County Sheriff's Department announced on Facebook that two people have been taken into custody in connection to the death of a four-year-old girl.
According to Kentucky law enforcement, a body they believe to be of the young Kentucky girl "has been recovered and sent to the state medical examiner’s office in Frankfort for an autopsy and positive identification," reported NBC News.
Who was Chloe Darnell?
A family member of the victim identified the girl Chloe Darnell on a GoFundMe page.
The suspects involved in the case have been identified as Brittany Slaughter and Adam Hayes.
As per the sheriff's department preliminary investigation, Darnell was under Slaughter's custody and the child had not been seen alive since September.
Authorities also stated that both Chloe and Slaughter had been reported missing from Whitley County's Canada Town Community Town previously.
A red 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer was seized by investigators on Thursday, November 17, as authorities believe the vehicle was used by Slaughter before Chloe's missing.
On Friday, November 18, authorities announced that Slaughter and Hayes had been taken into custody.
Chloe Darnell was a 'bright happy child'
A relative of Darnell's family who identified herself as Tricia Hess created a GoFundMe campaign in which she described the young victim as a "bright happy child."
Hess stated that Darnell was living with her aunt, Slaughter and identified Hayes as Slaughter's boyfriend.
"Family and friends were becoming suspicious because they were unable to see or talk with Chloe the past month,” read Hess' statement.
On Thursday, November 17, sheriff's department conducted a wellness check and located Slaughter at around 9.00 pm.
"During the night they searched the area around the house and surrounded woods and were able to locate Chloe's body," Hess stated.
She further stated that the funds collected would be used to give Darnell "a proper funeral and burial" and that the remaining money would be used to bring the four-year-old girl's seven siblings into town to attend her funeral.
What are the charges against Brittany Slaughter and Adam Hayes?
Slaughter, 24, and Hayes, 34 face multiple charges in connection to the death of Darnell. The sheriff's department stated that they are each charged with tampering with physical evidence, abuse of a corpse, and murder.
Authorities noted that additional charges may be filed in the case as the investigation is still ongoing.
Anyone with information about the missing and death of Darnell may contact Whitley County Dispatch at 606-549-6017 and provide details to Case Officer Lt David Lassiter, Unit 304, reference case number 23-118-0392.
