A missing 2-year-old Kansas girl has been found dead, authorities said in an update. A man has also been arrested in connection with her alleged murder.
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) said in a
news release Wednesday morning, March 21, that Iviona Lewis of Hoisington, was found deceased in rural Barton County.
They did not specify what time Lewis was found. The exact location was also not specified.
Authorities arrested 25-year-old Chaz Stephens on suspicion of second-degree murder. He is believed to be the boyfriend of the girl’s mother, ABC affiliate
KAKE reported.
According to KBI, agents and law enforcement made the arrest at approximately 7:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Stephen was booked into Barton County Jail. His bond is set at $1,000,000, according to KWCH reporter Melissa Murray.
Lewis, an African-American girl, was last seen on Sunday, March 18, at about 11 p.m. on the 400 block of North Elm Street in Hoisington,
KMBC reported.
Previously the Hoisington Police Department requested that the KBI issue an endangered person advisory for the missing girl.
“We have sheriff’s deputies, Hoisington police officers, Hoisington fire, EMS, Kansas Highway Patrol, Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Kansas Bureau of Wildlife and Parks,” Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir said on Tuesday, March 20. “We have all officers out looking, canvassing the area to see what we can find.”
Authorities had not yet revealed the cause of her death.
After a pending autopsy is completed, the KBI said the case will be turned over to the Barton County Attorney’s Office, according to CBS affiliate
KWCH.
No other information has been released as of writing.
The full updated statement can be seen below:
UPDATE: The statewide endangered person advisory for 2-year-old Iviona Lewis has been canceled. Unfortunately, she has been located deceased in rural Barton County. Agents and local law enforcement worked through the night and made an arrest at approximately 7:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Law enforcement agencies who assisted with the investigation included: the Hoisington Police Department, the Barton County Sheriff’s Office, the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, the Hoisington Fire Department, and the Hoisington EMS.
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