Athena Brownfield: Caregivers Arrested In Disappearance

Meanwhile, trash services in Cyril were suspended as search efforts continue, Arbeitman said at a news conference on Thursday.

“We’re praying for her family and her relatives and for the investigators who are looking for her,” she said.

On Saturday night, community members gathered in Cyril and held a vigil for Athena.

“The search continues for Athena until otherwise told, we will continue to hope for her return. Officials have not told us to NOT continue the search,” one of the organizers, Jamie Hood, told BuzzFeed News on Sunday. “We’re praying and hoping she is okay.”

With Adams facing a murder charge, questions and speculation have been rampant about what happened to the girl.

“It has been hard to see people saying she’s dead when there is nothing said like that from officials. We don’t want to miss an opportunity to possibly find her,” Hood said. “Our greatest hope is that someone has her and she will be found safe.”

Another organizer, Brooke Kelly, said she also hopes that Athena will still be found alive and volunteers will keep searching until authorities provide more information.

“The community of Cyril and the surrounding communities have came together in a way I have never seen before,” she told BuzzFeed News. “This little girl Athena has impacted thousands of lives and most people have never even met her. As far as the officers, investigators, and volunteers are concerned, they were nothing short of amazing. They all worked tirelessly and still continuing to search tirelessly.”