Death Penalty Sought for Oklahoma Woman, Alysia Adams Who is Accused of Starving 4-Year-Old to Death

The legal stakes couldn't be higher for Alysia Adams, 31, in Oklahoma, as prosecutors are pushing for the death penalty in the case of the tragic death of 4-year-old Athena Brownfield, who was under Adams' care.

Caddo County prosecutors have filed for the death penalty, arguing that Adams' actions posed a severe risk to multiple individuals and that Athena's demise was particularly cruel.

The investigation began when a postal worker found Athena's then-5-year-old sister wandering outside the Adams’ residence on January 10, 2023.

Initially, Adams accused her husband, Ivon Adams, 37, of fatally beating Athena on Christmas Day 2022. However, autopsy results revealed that Athena died from "acute pneumonia complicating malnutrition." New charges allege that Alysia Adams confined Athena to a closet and deprived her of proper nutrition.

Reports indicate that Athena's weight was significantly below average for her age and height, weighing only 23 pounds alongside the backpack she was discovered in.

Ivon Adams' charges were reduced to second-degree murder, along with additional charges related to the mishandling of Athena's remains and neglect of their children.

Alysia Adams now faces first-degree murder charges, along with obstruction of justice for allegedly providing false information to authorities. She also faces charges of child neglect in relation to her treatment of Athena's older sister.

Athena's mother, Jasmin Adina Kay Brownfield, was arrested in May 2023 for allegedly abandoning her daughters with the couple.

 

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