MIDWEST CITY, OK – In a case that has shocked an otherwise quiet neighborhood in Midwest City, parents Lisa Mitchell, 30, and Anthony Yonko, 37, are facing charges of first-degree murder following the death of their severely malnourished 7-year-old daughter.
Midwest City Police initiated their investigation into the girl’s death following a distress call on Friday from the family’s home, located in an apartment complex on East Reno Avenue and Air Depot Road. Mitchell allegedly reported to the police that her daughter, sick with the flu, was unresponsive.
Upon arrival at the emergency room, the girl was declared dead. Details from the court indicated the young girl weighed a mere 25 pounds, reflecting signs of extreme malnourishment.
The tragic revelation left local residencies of the apartment complex in pure shock, with many unaware of the child’s deteriorating condition within the family’s dwelling. One neighbor expressed a need for a better system to help such vulnerable individuals stand out.
A growing memorial of flowers placed by mourning neighbors outside the family’s apartment is a somber tribute to the innocent life lost, allegedly at the hands of her own parents. Shocked by the turn of events, a neighboring resident Jerry Coover held the parents accountable, underscoring their responsibility to their child’s welfare.
The bond for each parent was set at $10 million by a judge on Monday.