4 YEAR-OLD IS VICTIM OF MURDER; FAMILY MEMBERS CHARGED

A Whitley County, Kentucky couple, a man and woman, have been arrested in connection with an alleged murder after law enforcement authorities said they believed they found the body of a 4-year-old girl who was reported missing last week, but has not been seen since September.

A body believed to be Chloe Darnel, was discovered and sent to the medical examiner’s office in Frankfort for an autopsy and positive identification, according to a Friday November 17, statement from the Whitley County Sheriff Department’s FACEBOOK PAGE.

The Whitley Sheriff Department announced that they had arrested and charged Brittany Slaughter, 24, and Adam Hayes, 34, both of Williamsburg, Kentucky; with:

• MURDER-AGGRAVATING OTHER THAN PEACE OFFICER/DOMESTIC/DEATH OF CHILD.

In addition to  the murder charge, Brittany Slaughter, and Adam Hayes are both charged with

• ABUSE OF A CORPSE, and
• TAMPERING WITH PHYSICAL EVIDENCE, according to the Whitley County Sheriff Office.
  

Adam Hayes and Brittany Slaughter were arrested separately, With Adam Hayes taken into custody on early Thursday evening, November 16, and Brittany Slaughter was taken into custody on very early Friday morning, November 17.

Brittany Slaughter had custody of Chloe, and was Chloe’s aunt, according to family members, the Whitley County Sheriff Department said.

During Adam Hayes arrest, he was discovered by police to have in his possession drugs and a gun; and was subsequently charged additionally with:

• TRAFFICKING IN CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE 1ST OFFENSE (HEROIN),
• POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA, and
• POSSESSION OF A FIREARM BY CONVICTED FELON.

In a verified GoFundMe page for Chloe, her last name is spelled differently than how it was spelled by the Whitley County Sheriff Office.

Chloe “was a bright happy child” who was met with an “unhappy ending,” according to the GoFundMe account, which was organized by a family member.

Relatives and friends of the child became suspicious because they were unable to see or talk to the girl for the past month, the GoFundMe said. Chloe had seven siblings, according to the fundraiser.

Brittany Slaughter and Chloe Darnel were officially reported as missing by their relatives to law enforcement on Tuesday afternoon, November 14,

In other updates on the investigation, the sheriff’s department said on Wednesday, November 15, that they were looking for a red Mitsubishi Lancer that Brittany Slaughter was reportedly driving prior to her and Chloe’s disappearance. The two were reported missing, according to the sheriff’s department, which added: “Initial reports indicate Chloe has not been seen since late September of this year.”

On Thursday, November 16, the Whitley County Sheriff Office said it found the vehicle it was looking for. That same day, Brittany Slaughter was found unharmed, according to the sheriff’s department.

According to the Whitley County Sheriff Office, they stated that the case is still an active investigation, and that further charges could be possible. 

The Whitley County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by multiple law-enforcement agencies during the investigation including the Williamsburg Police Department, the Corbin Police Department, the Kentucky State Police, and the federal ATF.  They were also assisted by Woodbine Fire & Rescue, the Corbin Fire Department, and the Whitley County Coroner’s Office.

Adam Haye and Brittany Slaughter are currently lodged in the Whitley County Detention Center in Williamsburg, KY., with Miss Slaughter and Mr. Hayes being held on a $1,500,000 ($1.5 Million) full cash bond only in the connection to the murder of little Chloe Darnel; with Adam Hayes an additional three $35,000 full cash bonds for the two drug charges and gun charge, for a grand total of $1,605,000 bond. They are both scheduled for their first court hearing appearance on Monday, November 27, at 9:00 A.M., in Williamsburg District Court.