True Crime Chronicles: Precious four-year-old abandoned by mother died a pointless and cruel death in 2023
- Dennis McCaslin
- Aug 2
- 2 min read
On January 10, 2023, a postal worker in Cyril, Oklahoma, noticed a 5-year-old girl wandering alone. She was tired, unsupervised, and confused. That moment triggered a statewide search for her younger sister, 4-year-old Athena Brownfield--a child with limited verbal skills who had vanished without a trace.
Authorities quickly realized something was terribly wrong. The girls had been left in the care of relatives, Alysia and Ivon Adams, since April 2021. Within days, both were arrested. What unfolded next was a chilling tale of neglect, deception, and ultimately, death.
On January 17, 2023, investigators found human remains in a field near Rush Springs, Oklahoma. The body was zipped inside a black backpack and buried in a shallow grave. It weighed just 23 pounds. Days later, the remains were confirmed to be Athena’s.
Initially, Alysia Adams, the biological aunt of Athena told investigators that her husband, Ivon, had beaten Athena to death on Christmas night and buried her body near their former residence. Ivon was charged with first-degree murder and child neglect. Alysia faced two counts of child neglect.
The medical examiner found no signs of fatal trauma. Athena had died from acute pneumonia complicated by malnutrition. Prosecutors now believe Alysia Adams was the primary offender--accusing her of torturing Athena by confining her in a closet and depriving her of food and water.
In December 2023, charges against Alysia were upgraded to first-degree murder. Ivon’s charges were reduced to second-degree murder, along with counts of child neglect and unlawful removal of a body.
In November 2024, Alysia Adams was expected to plead guilty to avoid the death penalty. But in a dramatic twist, she backed out minutes before the hearing. Her decision stunned the courtroom--and devastated Athena’s grandparents, who had traveled four hours hoping for closure.
Now, Alysia faces a jury trial where the death penalty remains on the table. Prosecutors plan to seek life without parole or execution. Her trial was scheduled for April 2025 but has been delayed and is still pending before a broken Oklahoma justice system
Athena’s biological mother, Jasmin Brownfield (now Karma Tucker), was charged with two counts of child neglect by abandonment. se is currently out on bond and awaiting trial.
Athena’s sister, who was found wandering alone, has been placed in protective custody. She was never enrolled in school and had never seen a doctor while in the Adams’ care—a haunting reminder of the systemic failures of both those tasked with protecting our children and dispensing justice thathas allowed this ongoing tragedy to unfold.
