GA ZARIYAH SMITH: Missing from Columbus, GA - 20 Feb 2025 - Age 4 *Found Safe*

https://www.wrbl.com/news/missing-person/search-underway-in-columbus-for-critically-missing-4-year-old-child/

Search underway in Columbus for critically missing 4-year-old child​

The Columbus Police Department is asking the public to share any information they may have on a critically missing 4-year-old child.

Police say Zariyah Smith, 4, was last seen in the 300 block of Urban Avenue at about midnight on Thursday, Feb. 20. She was wearing a pink Minnie Mouse shirt, black pants, and black and white Converse, along with a pink Barbie bookbag.

Smith was reported missing on Tuesday, Feb. 25.

Police in Georgia searching for missing 4-year-old girl

According to police, Zariyah Smith was last seen February 20.

www.wjcl.com

Police in Georgia searching for missing 4-year-old girl​

It is unclear why there was a delay in reporting the child missing. Additional information was not released.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Reported days late. Fully dressed at midnight including shoes and even carrying a backpack/book bag.

Okayyyy.........

Nothing fishy here right out of the gate.

 

[RoundPeg]

I wonder if it's a custody/visitation situation.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

I wonder if it's a custody/visitation situation.

That would be the best-case and only acceptable scenario.

 

[Guess Who]

I wonder if it's a custody/visitation situation.

Or if others were suddenly asking where the child has been...

 

[GrandmaBear]

Who trades custody at midnight? I had the thought with a backpack she was going somewhere, perhaps with another parent for visitation but at midnight?

Of course the child may have been gone longer, and midnight and the day is a lie...

Hard to know what's what but definitely something is off here.

 

[RoundPeg]

Who trades custody at midnight? I had the thought with a backpack she was going somewhere, perhaps with another parent for visitation but at midnight?

Of course the child may have been gone longer, and midnight and the day is a lie...

Hard to know what's what but definitely something is off here.

My scenario was a parent that gets off work at 11 pm or so and retrieves the child from a caregiver. I've known situations like that, so it isnt a stretch for me.

 

[GrandmaBear]

My scenario was a parent that gets off work at 11 pm or so and retrieves the child from a caregiver. I've known situations like that, so it isnt a stretch for me.

That's a thought. It never crossed my mind but makes some sense. Yes, decades ago I babysat for people who worked second shift as day care was non-existent and it was hard for most to find child care.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

https://www.wrbl.com/news/missing-person/search-underway-in-columbus-for-critically-missing-4-year-old-child/

UPDATE 2/25/25 5:07 p.m.: Smith has been found in good health, according to the Columbus Police Department.