Grandmother of 2-year-old killed this week seeks justice

Sheriff’s detectives and U.S. marshals spent Thursday hunting for homicide suspect Jason J. Obermiller while Debbie Rainey grieved for her youngest grandchild, 2-year-old Adalynn Hoyt.

Addy, as she was called, was very close to her 3-year-old sister, Makinlee, Rainey said. “She was a funny little girl and very mischievous,” she said. “What one didn’t think of, the other did.”

The little girl was found dead in a home in the 3300 block of East 55th Avenue just after 1:20 p.m. Monday. Adalynn died of a single blow to the abdomen, according to an autopsy. She was in the care of Obermiller when it happened, according to investigators.

A warrant has been issued for Obermiller’s arrest on a charge of second-degree murder. He’s also wanted on a felony probation violation warrant.

He is described as a white male about 5 feet 8 inches tall with a medium to thin build, and brown hair and brown eyes.

A former roommate living with Adalynn’s mother, 28-year-old Lovina Rainey, told detectives that she noticed bruises on the girl after Obermiller moved in and believed he was abusing her, according to court documents.

The grandmother said she had seen the girl several times in recent weeks but the toddler was always in a car seat.

“I didn’t see the bruises,” Rainey said. “I would have flipped out. I just can’t believe this has happened.”

She did notice, however, that the girl seemed to have lost weight recently. “She looked really pale,” she said.

Rainey said she met Obermiller several times and didn’t like him. “I got the most horrible vibes out of him,” she said.

The three other children in the home, who range in age from 3 to 8 years, have been removed by Child Protective Services. Rainey said they will all be placed with friends of the family and she will be able to visit. “They’ll be in very good hands,” she said.

The children were placed with the same family a few years ago when CPS previously removed them from the home, but they were returned to their mother, Rainey said.

Investigators reported finding large amounts of drugs along with electronic scales and a ledger that seemed to include records of drug sales, according to court documents.

Rainey said she’s been largely left to search for answers. She hasn’t heard from her daughter and learned about her granddaughter’s death from media reports.

“I had to find out from other people that this happened to my granddaughter,” she said.

“I just want justice for my Addy. This is just a horrible thing. She was just a little girl.”