Today marks one month since 5-year-old Glendale girl Jahessye Shockley was reported missing by her family, and police are no closer to finding her.
Shockley, police say, wandered away from siblings -- who were caring for her at her
family's apartment at the time -- a little before 5 p.m. on October 11. She
hasn't been seen since.
Since her disappearance, a few things have been revealed. For starters, her family is furious with the media and the Glendale Police Department for how they've handled the girl's disappearance -- Shockley's grandmother even said she thinks the media has ignored the case because it involves "a little black girl."
The most notable bombshell, however, is that the girl's mother, Jerice Hunter, did prison time in California for child abuse. Since Shockley's disappearance, Hunter's other three children have been taken into the custody of Child Protective Services for unknown reasons.
Hunter -- in no uncertain terms -- told New Times last month that she's a
good mother, and denied any involvement in her daughter's disappearance.
Glendale police have said they're working on getting Hunter to submit to
a polygraph test. As of this writing, the test has not been scheduled.
Meanwhile, Shockley's story's been featured on America's Most Wanted,
and police continue to optimistically investigate the disappearance.
Shockley's described as a black female, approximately 3-foot-5, 55
pounds, and has black hair and brown eyes. She has long hair that was in
a ponytail at the time of her disappearance.
She was last seen wearing a
solid white T-shirt, blue jean shorts, and pink flip flops.
Anyone with information about Shockley's disappearance should call the Glendale Police Department at 623-930-3000.
