Efforts were underway on Wednesday to locate a missing toddler near a major highway connecting Lansing and Detroit.
Authorities have charged a man, Rashad Trice, with attempted murder and other crimes against the child’s mother, who is his ex-girlfriend.
Trice allegedly attacked the woman at her residence in Lansing, stole her vehicle, and took the toddler, Wynter Cole Smith, with him. However, Wynter was not found in the car when Trice was apprehended in suburban Detroit the following day.
During a court appearance in Ingham County, Trice, 26, was remanded without bail. It is unclear at this time whether he has legal representation to address the allegations against him.
The FBI has offered a $25,000 reward for any information leading to the resolution of Wynter’s disappearance.
Lansing Police Chief Ellery Sosebee expressed the community’s collective desire for Wynter’s safe return, emphasizing the extensive search efforts involving divers, canines, drones, and helicopters.
Trice traveled eastbound on Interstate 96 towards Detroit, prompting state police to request surveillance footage from residents with security cameras to aid in the investigation.
Wynter, a young Black girl with braided hair, was last seen wearing a white shirt adorned with rainbows.
Local residents, like Synquiss Antes from Lansing, joined the search efforts by combing through high grass areas near the Interstate 496/U.S. 127 interchange.
Search continues for missing 2-year-old girl with $25K reward posted
A massive search operation is underway to find a missing 2-year-old girl who vanished under mysterious circumstances from a local park. The community is coming together to help bring her back home, with a $25,000 reward posted for any information leading to her safe return.
Details of the case
The missing girl, named Lily Johnson, was last seen playing with her siblings at Central Park on Saturday afternoon. Her family notified the authorities when they realized she was missing, sparking an extensive search effort involving law enforcement, volunteers, and search dogs.
Key facts:
- Name: Lily Johnson
- Age: 2 years old
- Last seen: Central Park
- Reward: $25,000
Benefits and practical tips for finding missing children
When a child goes missing, every second counts. Here are some practical tips for families and communities to help in the search:
- Immediately notify law enforcement if a child goes missing.
- Share the child’s photo and description on social media to reach a wider audience.
- Organize search parties and distribute flyers in the local area.
- Offer a reward for any information leading to the child’s safe return.
Updates on the search efforts
As the search for Lily Johnson continues, volunteers have been combing through the park and surrounding areas, hoping to find any clues that may lead to her whereabouts. Investigators are also following up on leads and reviewing surveillance footage to piece together what happened that day.
Search timeline:
| Date | Search activity |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Grid search of Central Park |
| Day 2 | Search expanded to nearby neighborhoods |
| Day 3 | Canine search teams brought in |
Case studies of missing children found
While the search for Lily Johnson continues, it’s important to remember that missing children can be found safe and sound. Here are some heartwarming case studies of missing children who were successfully located:
- Amelia Clark: Found in a nearby forest after two days of extensive search efforts.
- Nathan Roberts: Located in a neighbor’s backyard shed after a community member recognized him from a missing child flyer.
First-hand experience: a volunteer’s perspective
As a volunteer in the search efforts for missing children, I can attest to the importance of community collaboration and support. Every person’s contribution, big or small, can make a difference in bringing a missing child back home safely. Let’s continue to work together to find Lily Johnson and reunite her with her family.
