Child’s body found in Kentucky; two arrested on murder charges

WHITLEY COUNTY, Ky. (WYMT/WKYT) - Deputies with the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department said they believe they found the body of 4-year-old Chloe Darnel.

The child’s body was sent to the state medical examiner’s office for an autopsy and official identification.

In a Facebook post, deputies said initial reports indicate that the child may have been missing since September. The investigation began Monday morning with a phone call to the sheriff’s office.

“One of my officers took a welfare visit to go check on the well-being because some family members had reported they hadn’t seen this child in quite some time,” said Sheriff Bill Elliot.

Police arrested 24-year-old Brittany Slaughter and 34-year-old Adam Hayes, both of Williamsburg, in connection with Darnel’s disappearance. Both Slaughter and Hayes were charged with murder, abuse of a corpse and tampering with physical evidence.

Slaughter and Hayes are being held at the Whitley County Detention Center on $500,000 bond each.

We’re told Slaughter is related to Darnel and had custody of her.

Slaughter and Hayes were arraigned on murder charges Monday morning. Both pled not guilty and are both being held $500,000 bonds.

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