Death Penalty Sought For Woman Accused Of Killing 4-Year-Old, Leaving Body In Backpack

This week, prosecutors filed a court document expressing their intent to pursue the death penalty for the caregiver of a 4-year-old discovered deceased in a backpack.

Caddo County District Attorney Jason Hicks states in a bill of particulars that Alysia Adams should face the death penalty, citing her knowingly creating a significant risk of death to multiple individuals. The document describes Athena Brownfield's death as "especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel."

On Jan. 10, 2023, a mail carrier alerted Cyril Police upon finding a 5-year-old girl unattended outside a residence. Subsequent investigations were initiated, prompting the involvement of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. It was revealed that Brownfield and her sister had been under Adams' care for at least a year before the girl's disappearance.

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Adams was arrested on child neglect charges, while her husband, Ivon Adams, was apprehended in Arizona. He was subsequently extradited to Oklahoma to confront charges of murder and child neglect.

The search for Brownfield spanned multiple days, concluding on Jan. 17, 2023, when discovered remains were confirmed to be hers. Per KOCO-TV, Brownfield's cause of death was attributed to acute pneumonia compounded by malnutrition. She weighed 23 pounds and had contracted several viruses, including COVID-19.

According to Ivon Adams' affidavit, the 5-year-old sister identified Alysia as "mom" and Ivon Adams as both "dad" and "uncle Ivon."

The couple reportedly neglected to enroll the girls in school or provide them with medical attention.

Alysia Adams reportedly informed investigators that Ivon fatally beat Brownfield on Dec, 25, 2022, and also assaulted her by punching her in the chest. Around 1 a.m. on Dec. 26, Ivon allegedly left their residence with Brownfield's body and, upon his return, claimed to have buried the girl near a fence line adjacent to their former house. Allegedly, he left a "large broken branch" covering the shallow grave he had dug.

According to KOCO reports, the medical examiner found no evidence of physical trauma on Brownfield's body.

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As reported by KSWO-TV, Athena was found inside a backpack, with both her and the backpack together weighing 25 pounds.

In December, prosecutors adjusted charges against the couple, with Ivon Adams seeing his first-degree murder charge downgraded to second-degree murder. However, he still confronts charges of child neglect and unlawful removal of a dead body, according to KFOR-TV. Notably, the district attorney's office is now pursuing a first-degree murder charge against Alysia Adams. The accusation revolves around the alleged act of placing Athena Brownfield in a closet and depriving the child of proper nutrition.

Additionally, Alysia Adams could reportedly face a charge of second-degree murder.

In May, Jasmin Brownfield, Athena Brownfield's biological mother, was arrested on two counts of child neglect.