Authorities Search for Missing 4-year-old Oklahoma Girl

CYRIL, Oklahoma (AP) — Authorities on Wednesday continued searching for a missing 4-year-old Oklahoma girl.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is leading the search for Athena Brownfield. She was first reported missing on Tuesday afternoon from her home in Cyril, located about 70 miles (113 km) southwest of Oklahoma City.

A postal carrier found Athena’s 5-year-old sister near her home and alerted Cyril police. Authorities later determined Athena was missing.

Authorities were using a helicopter and a specially trained ground team to search for the girl, as well as boats to look in nearby ponds.

“We’re still very actively looking for her,” said Brook Arbeitman, a spokeswoman for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

The search remained focused in the area around Cyril and officials asked residents and local businesses for any surveillance video they might have.

Authorities are still trying to determine when Athena was last seen but they believe she was wearing a hoodie with a butterfly when she went missing.

Her 5-year-old sister was taken into protective custody.

When asked where the girls’ parents were, Arbeitman said, “That’s part of the ongoing investigation.”