Detroit Police Rally Community In Search For Missing Teen

The Detroit Police Department continues its search for Na'Ziyah Harris, a 13-year-old who went missing in January after leaving school.

The Detroit Police Department (DPD) is urging the community to be on the lookout for a teenage girl who went missing in January. Na’Ziyah Harris has not been seen since leaving school on Jan. 9.

Upon Harris’ not returning home from J.E. Clark Preparatory Academy despite being seen getting off the school bus, her family called authorities to report her missing. According to The Detroit News, federal investigators began their search of the 13-year-old’s whereabouts, including speaking with her friends and others in surrounding neighborhoods. However, the investigation was handed over to the DPD on Feb. 13.

During a news conference the following day, the agency’s chief encouraged city residents to take part in the search of Harris, who they believe could be in serious danger.

“We’re very, very concerned,” shared Chief James White. “… We will be bringing in our local, federal, state partners, a very concerned community, our board of police commissioners, our civic leaders … to assist us in bringing little Na’Ziyah home.”

The missing girl’s family members, including her grandmother Annette Harris, were present at the news conference and pleaded with fellow community members to help save their loved one.

“When a child is missing, you gotta look everywhere,” expressed the elder Harris. “I don’t want to think the worst about it — about her being abducted. I’m hoping and praying that that is not the case. I’m standing on my faith that God is going to bring my baby home.”

According to Fox 2, no one has come forward with new information or a sighting of Harris as of yet. She was last seen wearing a white, pink, and black jacket, blue jeans, and white Nike sneakers. However, authorities are still “not ruling anything out” regarding her disappearance, with White emphasizing that a joint effort is crucial to bringing Harris home safely: “We’re hopeful that we find her well, but we can’t operate on hope.”