UPDATE: A body believed to be that of four-year-old Chloe Darnell, who had not been seen since September, has been found, according to a release from the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department.
The release, posted early Friday morning, stated that the body has been sent the state medical examiner’s office in Frankfort for an autopsy and positive identification.
The child’s custodian, Brittany Slaughter, 24, who had also been missing for several weeks, was located unharmed Thursday night. Slaughter is Darnell’s aunt and had custody of Darnell when the child disappeared.
Slaughter has since been charged with murder, abuse of a corpse and tampering with physical evidence.
A man, identified as Adam Hayes, 34, has also been arrested and charged with murder, abuse of a corpse and tampering with physical evidence in connection to Darnell’s death. Hayes has been described in multiple Facebook posts regarding Slaughter and Darnell’s disappearances as possibly being Slaughter’s boyfriend. That information is unconfirmed at this time.
The body was recovered following a days-long search that consisted of a search of the home where Slaughter and Darnell were believed to have most recently been, including a ground search of the surrounding woods with cadaver dogs.
Assisting the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department in the search and ultimate arrests was Corbin Police Department, Williamsburg Police Department, Kentucky State Police, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Woodbine Fire & Rescue, Corbin Fire Department and the Whitley County Coroner’s Office.
An investigation is still ongoing and more details are expected at a later time.
ORIGINAL STORY: The Whitley County Sheriff’s Department is currently searching for a young girl that has not been seen since September, along with the woman that has custody of her, who has also been missing since earlier this month.
The sheriff’s department put out a release Wednesday regarding the disappearances, in which police were asking for the public’s help with any information regarding the whereabouts of Chloe Darnell, 4, and Brittany Slaughter. According to the release, the pair went missing from an Ova Lane residence in the Canadatown community.
The release also included information regarding a red 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer that Slaughter had most recently been connected to.
Sheriff Bill Elliotte told the News Journal Thursday afternoon that the vehicle has since been recovered. Additionally, a search warrant has been obtained for the residence where Darnell and Slaughter were believed to have most recently been staying.
According to Elliotte, police have been on the scene conducting the search since approximately 10 a.m. Thursday and he expects that search to continue throughout the rest of the day.
“We got a lot going on with it,” said Elliotte.
Corbin Police Department, Williamsburg Police Department and the Kentucky State Police are assisting in the search. Cadaver dogs have been brought in to assist as well. Elliotte said they will also be performing ground searches in the wooded areas around the home.
“We’re working our tails off. We’re going to bring this baby home one way or the other,” said Elliotte.
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Whitley County Dispatch at (606) 549-6017. The reference number for the case is 23-118-0392.
More details will be provided as they are available.
