Parents Arrested After Tragic Death of 7-Year-Old Girl in Midwest City

Parents arrested for alleged crimes against daughter

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Photo byAlex MuromtsevonUnsplash

Oklahoma makes the list of the top 10 states with the highest rates of child abuse cases.

With 1540.1 cases per 100,000 people, it's #7 on the list of states with the highest number of child abuse incidents.

On August 3, 2024, Midwest City police shared new details about a tragic event involving a seven-year-old girl who died on Friday.

Parents Arrested

Two parents have been arrested and are now in the Oklahoma County Jail. They are accused of very serious crimes, including torture, maiming, and first-degree murder.

What Happened

According to the police, the father, Anthony Yonko, said he woke up on Friday morning at his apartment near Reno and Air Depot, and his daughter was not moving or responding. The mother, Lisa Mitchell, had been sleeping with the girl on the couch the night before. The parents took the girl to Saint Anthony's Hospital in Midwest City, where doctors said she had passed away.

Health Concerns

At the hospital, the girl weighed only 25 pounds and was 37 inches tall, which is much smaller than normal for her age. The father told police that just a few days earlier, the girl weighed around 50 pounds and seemed healthy. Both parents believed she might have had the flu.

Changing Stories

When asked if they had taken the girl to the hospital recently, the father did not give a clear answer. Police also noted that the father changed his story several times during the investigation.

What are some questions people might have about this incident?

⚠️What exactly happened on the night the girl died?

⚠️Why did the parents wait three hours to take their daughter to the hospital?

⚠️Did the parents seek medical help for their daughter before this incident?

⚠️What were the parents' explanations for the girl's sudden weight loss?

⚠️Are there any previous reports or concerns about the family’s treatment of the girl?

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What are your thoughts about this event? What are some solutions Oklahoma could implement to reduce events like this?