Jahessye Shockley

CrimePAY$ $11,000    Reward TipLine     1-888-755-TIPS (8477)

9-6-12 Update: Jerice Hunter was taken into custody at about 1:30 p.m. Sept. 6, 2012, by Glendale Detectives for the murder of her 5-year-old daughter Jhessye Shockley. This comes after 11 months of investigative efforts into the disappearance of Jhessye, which began with a 911 call to police from Jerice on October 11, 2011,  announcing that she had returned home from an errand to find her youngest daughter missing.

————————————————

Glendale (Arizona) police held a press conference Oct. 19, 2011 announcing an $11,000 reward for information leading to the return of missing 5-year-old Jahessye Shockley, or bringing to justice those involved with her disappearance. Jahessye has been missing since Oct. 11, 2011 when her mother called police after returning home from an errand and found the child gone. Jahessye’s older siblings were left to watch her, the oldest, a 13-year-old sister.

The Glendale Police Department and Silent Witness are offering a reward for information that will lead to finding 5-year-old Jahessye Shockley or persons responsible for her disappearance. Silent Witness is offering up to $1,000 and the Glendale Police Department is adding an additional $10,000 for a maximum total reward of $11,000.

The announcement comes just after public outcry from Jahessye’s mother and grandmother, who felt police weren’t doing enough. Police maintain that they have been in constant contact with the Shockley family on a day-to-day basis (sometimes multiple times a day) and have devoted thousands of man hours to searching the surrounding areas and following up on every lead received.

Police said they can understand the family’s frustration and emotions during this difficult time and are committed to solving the case.

Sergeant Brent Coombs with the Glendale Police Department stood behind his department’s involvement with the investigation.

“We’re doing everything we can,” Coombs said. “We are doing all the right things. We’re just missing that information that will lead us to her. But, we are using every possible resource that we can, combing through evidence and we continue to re-evaluate our approach, just so that we aren’t missing anything.”

Police said FBI and law enforcement agencies from the state and national level were involved in the investigation and surrounding states’ law officials had been contacted and were working with the department.

Coombs said seasoned detectives involved with child crimes have been working with the investigation to exhaust any outlets or possibilities as to Jahessye’s whereabouts.

Sergeant Darren Burch with the Silent Witness Program spoke on the incentive-based tactic.

“Above all else, first and foremost, we want this child brought home,” Burch said. “We are hoping the anonymity of the silent witness line and the incentive of the reward will help bring new information forward that will lead to Jahessye’s safe return.”

“Someone somewhere knows something,” Burch said. “A child doesn’t just disappear without anyone seeing or hearing something.”

One of the first tips police received stated that someone had seen a woman place a child that resembled Jahessye in a 1990s or 2000 model black Chevy Malibu. Police said they have thoroughly researched that lead, but given the distance the witness was from the scene as well as other missing information, they have not been able to find any new information from that tip.

Police said they appreciate the outpouring of community support and the cooperating detectives who all are continuing to work tirelessly toward the safe return of Jahessye.

Police conducted a second canvassing Oct. 18, of a three-mile radius, in the area where Jahessye was last seen.

As days fly by, police realize the narrowing window they are dealing with.

“Now that it has been eight days, we certainly realize if Jahessye were simply to have walked away, and became lost, we would have heard something by now,” Coombs said. “Yes, this is an incentive. We want to do everything possible to bring Jahessye back to a safe place.”

Coombs said national media outlets may in the near future be enlisted to further bring attention to the case.

Coombs immediately shot down any questions of whether or not race had any bearing on the investigation.

“I can’t state clearly enough, no matter what the color, nationality, whatever it might be involving anyone missing, especially a child, it makes absolutely no difference to us,” Coombs said. “We investigate each case the same way. This is a 5-year-old little girl and that is all that is on the minds of the investigators and everyone involved in this case, is bringing her home.”

Jahessye was last seen Oct. 11, at her family’s apartment near 45th and Glendale avenues. She is described as a 5-year-old, black female, 3’5″, and 55 pounds.

CrimePAY$      $11,000 Reward             TipLine 1-888-755-TIPS (8477)

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 13th, 2012 at 9:12 am and is filed under $10,000+, Arizona, Solved. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.