WHITLEY COUNTY, Ky. — The search for a missing 4-year-old from Whitley County has come to a tragic end.
The sheriff’s office confirmed Thursday they found what is believed to be Chloe Darnel’s body. They also arrested two people and charged them with murder.
Brittany Slaughter, 24, and Adam Hayes, 34, are charged with murder, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with physical evidence. Slaughter had custody of Chloe.
The sheriff’s office announced Slaughter and Chloe were missing from Whitley County earlier this week. At the time, family indicated they had not seen the child since late September.
Investigators from the Whitley County Sheriff’s Office, Williamsburg Police Department, Corbin Police Department, Kentucky State Police and ATF were all called in to assist in the search.
At first, investigators were focused on finding a vehicle linked to Slaughter. They were able to locate and seize a red Mitsubishi within 24 hours, but did not immediately find Slaughter or Chloe.
Late Thursday, sheriffs deputies announced they had found Slaughter but had no leads on Chloe. Just hours later, investigators announced they found the 4-year-old’s body and arrested two adults.
The body is being sent to the state medical examiner’s office in Frankfort for an autopsy.
Investigators report this is still an active investigation and more charges may be possible.
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