In Oklahoma, a desperate search is made for four-year-old Athena Brownfield

Police have launched a frantic search for four-year-old Athena Brownfield, who was reported missing by a postal worker after they found the girl’s young sister alone near her home in Cyril, Oklahoma earlier this week.

Athena was reported missing around 2 p.m. Tuesday. The postman called the police after they found another child, later determined to be Athena’s five-year-old sister, wandering around outside the house alone.

A massive search continued through Tuesday evening and through Wednesday, but Athena remains missing and while the community has asked where the parents are, authorities say locating the child is their top priority.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) have used infrared helicopters, quadricycles, boats and ground personnel to search the area, according to OHP Soldier Eric Foster.

“Our Emergency Response Team (ERT), which is specially trained to search for people and things on foot, is out in coordination with civilians who have come and wished to volunteer their time and effort,” Foster said during a Press conference on Wednesday afternoon, FOX reported 25.

The office’s PIO, Brook Arbeitman, confirmed this information, adding, “We’re still very actively looking for her, using all of our tools. We’re finding things that we hope will give us clues as to where she is, but we’re still actively looking for her.”

Athena Brownfield was reported missing around 2 p.m. Tuesday. A ground search in the area was unsuccessful. Police are asking for help from people with doorbell cameras or footage

A locator map for the missing Athena Brownfield

Authorities also used Oklahoma Department of Justice dogs to assist in the search, the report said.

“This is a very active and ongoing investigation and at the moment our top priority is to locate it. And the next thing to clarify is who is responsible for it. We have to find this little girl,’ Arbeitman said. “She’s on her own in the elements. So is that dangerous? Yes. But is she the victim of physical harm? That has yet to be determined.’

That ground search continued throughout Wednesday but concluded after volunteers searched “the entire city,” Arbeitman said.

It added: “At 4 p.m. today, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) Emergency Response Team (ERT) completed a web search with volunteers at the scene. These volunteers were released after searching the entire city, every known vacant home and local waterways,” OSBI added in a separate statement Wednesday afternoon.

“Currently, the Oklahoma Department of Corrections (ODOC) has search dogs in the area and the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (OBNDD) has flown its drones over the community.”

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation have used infrared helicopters, four-wheelers, boats and ground personnel to search the area, according to OHP Soldier Eric Foster

Athena was reported missing after a postal worker found her five-year-old sister alone near her home in Cyril, about 70 miles southwest of Oklahoma City.

The older girl was described as terrified but did not require medical attention.

It is not clear how long she was missing before her disappearance was reported.

“We’re still working to put together an accurate schedule,” said Arbeitman.

Details of the property where the girls were staying are also not immediately clear, and the whereabouts of the girls’ parents or legal guardians at the time of Athena’s disappearance are unknown.

“It’s part of the ongoing investigation,” Arbeitman said Wednesday morning when asked who was supposed to be watching the girls, according to KOCO News.

Law enforcement officials continue to conduct interviews and view surveillance video in the area. They’re also asking anyone with doorbell cameras or footage from the area near the 200 block of West Nebraska to turn it in

The five-year-old was taken into protective custody.

Several details about the four-year-old, who authorities originally said was three but have since been corrected, are not known. Foster said no Amber Alert was issued because her disappearance did not follow specific guidelines.

He added: “Not every part of this policy came into play. So the next best thing we could do was issue a missing and endangered notice that went within a 15 mile radius of their missing location.’

Law enforcement officials continue to conduct interviews and view surveillance video in the area. They’re also asking anyone with doorbell cameras or footage from the area near the 200 block of West Nebraska to turn it in.

“The entire law enforcement community helping locate Athena appreciates the local volunteers, restaurants, churches and all the tips that have come in over the phone,” OSBI said.

Residents are also encouraged to search their own property for Athena.

Fox News Digital is aware of social media posts regarding Athena’s parents or details of her living situation, but the OSBI is advising people and outlets not to share unconfirmed details as it could hamper the investigation.

Anyone with information regarding Athena Brownfield’s disappearance is asked to contact the Cyril Police Department directly at (580) 464-2216, the OSBI tips hotline at 800-522-8017, or email tips@ osbi.ok.gov