Two people, including the victim’s aunt, have been charged in the murder of a small child in Whitley County.
A Whitley County Grand Jury has issued a superseding indictment against a couple for killing four-year-old Chloe Darnell. Adam Hayes, 34, and Brittany Slaughter, 24, both of Williamsburg, were indicted earlier this month for murder, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and first degree criminal abuse.
Slaughter was additionally indicted for failure to report change in household size to receive public benefits, while Hayes was also indicted for being a persistent felony offender.
Slaughter is Darnell’s aunt, and had custody of the child.
The couple was initially indicted in December 2023.
As K105 reported in November of last year, Slaughter and Darnell disappeared in September 2023, according to the Whitley County Sheriff’s Office. Slaughter was found on November 16, 2023, but without Darnell.
The Whitley County Commonwealth’s Attorney Office, according to WYMT.com, filed documents showing the intent to seek the death penalty for Hayes in connection to the case.
The victim’s body was eventually discovered in a local cemetery and an autopsy showed Darnell suffered multiple fractures in her face and skull, as well as broken and separated ribs.
(Photo l-r: Brittany Slaughter, Chloe Darnell)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
