FBI, City of Gary offering $20K reward for information on missing teen last seen in August
A $20,000 reward is being offered for information on the disappearance of a teenage girl last seen in Gary, Indiana, last August.
Ja'Niyah McMichael, now 14, was reported missing by her mother on Aug. 12 from their home in the 1900 block of Malcolm X Boulevard. A balloon release was held Monday evening for Ja'Niyah.
Investigators believe she may be the victim of foul play, and the search for her remains active.
At the time of her disappearance, Ja'Niyah was last seen wearing black pajama pants, a black hooded sweatshirt, and red and black shoes.
The FBI says McMichael has known connections to Gary and East Chicago, Indiana.
Her grandmother, Dalia Guerrero, is holding out hope.
"Ja'Niyah, wherever you may be today, your nana loves you," Guerrero said. "Happy birthday wherever you are."
As the investigation remains ongoing, the FBI is offering a reward up to $10,000, and the City of Gary is also offering $10,000 to bring her home and hold those accountable in her disappearance.
Anyone with information can anonymously submit tips to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), Gary, or online at tips.fbi.gov.
The FBI says billboards will also be going live in the Gary area asking for any information on McMichael's whereabouts.
