Oklahoma – In a deeply disturbing case in Oklahoma, the parents of a severely abused 7-year-old girl were arrested after they brought her lifeless body to a local hospital. A. Yonko and L. Mitchell now face charges of first-degree murder following the tragic death of their daughter. The incident occurred on Friday, August 2, 2024.
The grim series of events began to unfold when Yonko and Mitchell arrived at the hospital in a personal vehicle, carrying the already deceased child. Medical staff quickly noted signs of “stiffness of death,” pointing to the fact that the child had been dead before arrival. Further examination revealed both internal and external injuries and an extreme level of malnutrition; the child weighed only 25 pounds and measured 37 inches in height—significantly below the average for her age, which should be around 50 pounds according to the Center for Disease Control. The affidavit provided by the authorities detailed that during attempts to revive her, medical personnel observed dark red and black secretions coming from the child’s mouth, indicating severe internal distress.
According to the police affidavit, Yonko’s account of the events leading to the hospital visit was inconsistent and changed multiple times during interviews. He initially claimed that the family, including the victim and Mitchell, slept through the night and only realized the child’s dire condition the following morning. He later contradicted this statement by mentioning additional people in the apartment and varying accounts of the morning’s events.
When questioned about his daughter’s severely undernourished condition, Yonko reportedly asserted that she had weighed 50 pounds and was “completely healthy” just four or five days earlier, and he insisted that he “always fed the child.” However, he could not explain why she was only 25 pounds and in “very poor health” at the time of her death. His narrative continued to evolve, further complicating the investigation and casting doubt on his credibility. Both parents were taken into custody, with Yonko facing an additional charge of torturing, maiming, and causing the death of a child by injury. Their initial court appearances were swift, as the legal system began processing what appeared to be a clear case of severe child abuse and neglect.
As the investigation continues, authorities are piecing together the events that led to the tragic death, with further scrutiny on the living conditions and the treatment of other children who may have been in the home. The involvement of other family members, such as Yonko’s brother, who drove the family to the hospital, adds layers to the case that law enforcement is diligently exploring. This case has not only led to a call for justice for the young victim but has also sparked a broader discussion about child welfare and the mechanisms in place to protect vulnerable children. As the community mourns the loss of a young life, there is a collective call for action to prevent such tragedies in the future.
