CYRIL, Oklahoma – Alysia Adams, the former caretaker of 4-year-old Athena Brownfield, now faces upgraded charges of first-degree murder in connection with the child’s death last year, according to reports. Adams, who had been looking after Athena at the time she vanished, was previously charged with two counts of child neglect by abandonment. Meanwhile, charges against her husband, Ivon Adams, have been downgraded to second-degree murder.

Initially, Alysia had accused her husband of violently beating Athena to death during Christmas 2022. However, prosecutors now suspect that Alysia instead starved Athena before the little girl actually died of pneumonia. The 4-year-old hadn’t suffered any broken bones either. Athena instead died of “acute pneumonia complicating malnutrition,” according to the medical examiner’s report. Her cause of death was officially determined to be homicidal in nature.

Prosecutors now suspect Alysia is the chief offender in Athena’s death, alleging she confined the girl in a closet and deprived her of “proper nutrition.” Alysia is also now charged with one count of obstructing an officer for allegedly providing false information to investigators and a separate count of child neglect in connection to her treatment of Athena’s older sister.

Funeral services were held for Athena last January following the gruesome discovery. Additionally, Athena’s biological mother was also taken into custody earlier this year on child neglect charges. She has a preliminary hearing scheduled for January 3.

Alysia Adams is scheduled to be arraigned on February 21, 2024.