FBI, Gary police renew calls for information in search for missing teenage girl last seen in 2024

The FBI and Gary Police are renewing their calls for information in their continued search for a missing teenage girl last seen in 2024.

Ja'Niyah McMichael was reported missing by her mother on Aug. 12, 2024, from their home in the 1900 block of Malcolm X Boulevard. 

The push for information comes as the family and loved ones held a balloon release to celebrate her 15th birthday on Tuesday. 

"We're supposed to be making big plans for her, and it breaks my heart because I don't know where she's at," said McHichael's grandmother, Dalia James Guerrero.

Guerrero said the last time she celebrated McMichael's birthday, she was 13. She said she hugged and kissed her tightly, not knowing it would be her last time.

Tuesday was also a rally bringing attention to the case, with cars honking for support on busy Broadway, and hours of passing out flyers and speaking with passersby, in hopes of getting any information about McMichael's whereabouts.  

"I want to keep advocating. I want her name out there, I want everybody to share, everybody to know until she is found," Guerrero said.

Authorities say that her disappearance may be the result of foul play. Guerrero refuses to believe that her granddaughter isn't out there somewhere.

"I believe she's still alive until I'm shown otherwise, that's what I'm going to stand on," she said.

At the time of her disappearance, Ja'Niyah was last seen wearing black pajama pants, a black hooded sweatshirt, and red and black shoes. According to authorities, she has known connections to Gary and East Chicago in Indiana.

There is now a $30,000 reward, $10,000 each from the Gary police, the FBI, and an anonymous donor, for information that will lead to her return home and the arrest and conviction of the people responsible for 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.