Neighbor arrested in Midwest City cold case

MIDWEST CITY, Okla. (AP) – Authorities in suburban Oklahoma City have arrested a neighbor in the case of an 8-year-old girl who went missing from her bedroom in 1997.

An affidavit released Tuesday by Midwest City Police Chief Brandon Clabes says investigators used DNA to link 56-year-old Anthony Palma to the disappearance and presumed death of 8-year-old Kirsten Hatfield.

Palma was arrested Monday on first-degree murder and kidnapping complaints.

Blood was found on Kirsten’s windowsill and her underwear was found in her backyard, but the girl has not been seen since.

The affidavit says Palma willingly gave a DNA sample in June to investigators. The affidavit says results showed a match of one in 293 sextillion.

Court records don’t list an attorney for Palma, who is being held without bond.