WHITLEY COUNTY, KY – Local law enforcement on Friday confirmed that two people have been arrested concerning the death of 4-year-old Chloe Darnell in Kentucky. The Whitley County Sheriff’s Department announced the arrests in a Facebook post. In the post, they stated that a body they believe to be Chloe’s was recovered and transferred to the medical examiner for further investigation.
Currently held in custody for Chloe’s death are 24-year-old Brittany Slaughter and 34-year-old Adam Hayes. They have both been charged with murder, corpse abuse, and tampering with physical evidence. Additional charges may occur as the investigation is still active, according to the Sheriff’s Department. Slaughter was appointed as Chloe’s custodian, with the initial investigation revealing that she hadn’t been seen alive since the last days of September.
Previously, both Slaughter and Chloe had been reported missing from the Canada Town Community of Whitley County. A red 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer seized by investigators on Thursday is believed to have been in Slaughter’s possession at the time of Chloe’s disappearance.
Family and friends grew suspicious when they were unable to see or speak with Chloe over the past month. Following a wellness check conducted by the sheriff’s department, Chloe’s body was discovered in the vicinity of the house and surrounding woods on Thursday night.
A GoFundMe campaign has been set up by Tricia Hess, a family relative, to help cover the costs of Chloe’s funeral and burial, with any remaining money to be used to bring her seven siblings into town for the funeral. Those with information regarding the case are urged to contact Whitley County Dispatch and ask for Lt. David Lassiter.