St. Louis police seek help in search for missing 2-year-old girl
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department is asking for the public’s help Wednesday with finding a 2-year-old girl reported missing.Police say the 2-year-old, named Janyla Hughley, reportedly walked out of her home early Wednesday morning in the 3800 block of Minnesota Avenue, located in the city’s Dutchtown neighborhood.
A police spokesperson said officers and detectives believe someone knows where the missing girl is. Law enforcement is canvassing the area on foot, knocking on doors and speaking with neighbors in search of potential leads. Police helicopters and K9 units have also been deployed to assist in the search.
Janyla is believed to be wearing only a diaper and pink fuzzy slippers with red hearts. Her hair is in a ponytail. Police described the search for Janyla as an “urgent” matter and are encouraging people who live in the area to check their doorbell cameras if they have them.
According to police, Janyla’s mother said the child was in bed at 2 a.m. When the mom woke up shortly after 7:50 a.m., the child was gone and the front door was left open. The girl is capable of opening the front door and has done so before, according to police.
During an 11 a.m. news conference, police said a person or persons may have located Janyla, but police won’t consider the child safe until she’s reunited with her parents.
Prior to the news conference, a FOX 2 news crew observed police taking an adult male into custody at the scene. It’s unclear if that is connected to the current investigation.
St. Louis police looking for missing 2-year-old who walked away from home
St. Louis police are urgently looking for a 2-year-old girl who walked out of her family's home Wednesday morning and has not been seen since.The department said Janyla Hughley reportedly walked out of the family's home on the 3800 block of Minnesota Avenue. Her hair was in a ponytail, and she was only wearing a diaper and pink slippers.
Captain Angela Dickerson said the girl's mother called police Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. She told officers she put her to bed at 1:30 a.m., and when she woke up, the door was open and Janyla was gone.
Dickerson said they have received conflicting reports, but a witness told police they saw the girl with a man and a woman who said they knew the girl's parents. Police said they were in the area of California and Oregon streets because the people were known to frequent that area.
Sergeant Sean Mazzola said they have received tips from the public and they are pursuing leads through multiple neighborhoods.
She also said this is not the first time that Janyla has walked out the front door. The last time, she was found at a nearby street corner.
"We are asking for the community’s help in checking cameras between the hours of 1 a.m. and now," the police department said in a statement. "If anyone has footage of Janylah alone, or possibly with an adult, we would like to speak with you. You can call 911. Information and/or footage can also be sent to tips@slmpd.org."
