Where Is Ja’Niyah? Gary’s Forgotten Children Deserve Justice

In Gary, Indiana – a city already burdened with decades of disinvestment, generational poverty, and overlooked trauma—another child is missing. And this time, the silence around her name is deafening.

Ja’Niyah McMichael‑Rogers was just 13 years old when she disappeared. She was last seen on or around August 11, 2024, according to official records. She was reported missing by her mother the next morning, August 12, 2024.

Today is August 8, 2025 — just six days away from the one-year mark. One full year. No arrests. No televised press conference. No official resolution. Still no justice.

A City With A Pattern

Gary has a long history of unresolved cases, limited coverage, and systemic neglect — especially when Black children go missing. It’s a city rich in resilience, but routinely overlooked in national conversations about safety and justice. or families of missing loved ones here, closure is rare. Media attention is limited. And police transparency? Even more so.

Ja’Niyah’s disappearance is not an isolated case—it’s another name in a long list of young Black girls who go missing with little urgency from those in power. And when families, volunteers, and advocates raise their voices, they are often met with resistance, silence, or worse—targeted harassment.

In this case, advocates say crucial early hours were lost to a “runaway” label; volunteers later reported intimidation and even warning shots while searching. So the community kept records: livestreams, screenshots, tips, and dates—because official answers were scarce.

The System Failed Her

On August 11, 2024, Ja’Niyah was reportedly at the family home in the 1900 block of Malcolm X Dr. (formerly Virginia St), preparing to start a new school year. By the next morning, she was gone—and the front and back doors of her home were left open. Her mother called police that morning and filed a missing person report. — but she was treated as a “runaway” by the Gary Police Department (GPD).

Still, her case wasn’t classified as anything beyond a “runaway.” Not until September 5, 2024, nearly a month later, when an Indiana statewide Silver Alert was issued – and only after immense pressure from relatives and social media influencers (e.g.Investigative Journalist Cherise “Pebbles” Wilson, and Kelvin “KC the Bodyguard” Collins, etc…) online advocacy.

Weeks passed. Then, on October 5, 2024, the FBI executed a search warrant at Ja’Niyah’s home where her mother (Jasmine Ann McMichael), mother’s girlfriend (Kearra Bates), and her siblings lived together at the time of her disappearance – and reportedly last seen location per official reports posted publicly.

Family of Jasmine McMichael shared limited information about the FBI raid during a livestream on Facebook, stating that agents seized at least one piece of clothing and a pair of slippers. It was also publicly confirmed by family members that Indiana’s Department of Children Services (DCS) did in fact remove all of Janiyah’s siblings from the care of their mother, Jasmine that day.

Community members organized ground searches. Volunteers combed through abandoned buildings. Some were reportedly shot at while looking for Ja’Niyah.

Still, no arrests. No suspects named publicly. No press conference from Gary Police Chief Derrick Cannon.; no press conference from GPD leadership. And remember, this is a missing ‘child’ we are talking about.

What the Community Is Saying: Rumors, Theories, and the Online Search for Truth

As days turned into weeks, and then months with no official answers, the community stepped in to do what the system would not: search for Ja’Niyah, document inconsistencies, and demand accountability. But with that grassroots momentum came something else—a wave of speculation, digital detective work, and complex theories that have now become part of the broader conversation.

• That Ja’Niyah may have been pregnant at the time of her disappearance—an unconfirmed but emotionally charged claim.

• That some family members say they hadn’t physically seen her since June 10, 2024.

• That volunteers were shot at or harassed while searching abandoned buildings near her last known residence at 1951 Virginia Street.

• That tensions in the household—possible abuse or neglect—may have contributed to her disappearance.

• That individuals involved may have ties to law enforcement, CPS, or gang activity.

• That video surveillance, tips, and location data were dismissed or not investigated early on.

• That unclear details about her last confirmed location—her home or an aunt’s in Portage—created confusion and delay.

One particularly controversial event occurred during a January 6, 2025 search at the Brown Family Ranch, where bones were found by a search party organized by Janiyah’s grandmother (Dalia “Guerrero” James) and the missing family of Enna Baum. It has been publicly disclosed by the the volunteer search teams that they initially received permission and partial escort by Mr Brown – the owner of the Brown Family Ranch, while searching the premises for any signs of Ja’Niyah or Emma or any signs of foul play in relation to their disappearances. The police were allegedly called to the farm/ranch as a result of what appeared to be human bones being found in a dumpster full of horse manure.

This was especially important and potentially relevant to the missing person cases being investigated as there were prior reports of human remains being found on this same property several years earlier, buried in mounds of horse manure. Not to get too far off of the focus of Ja’Niyah, but it is also worth noting that Emma Baum’s sister Abigail “Abby” Smith made a striking admission that her family had received a tip saying that Emma was unalived and placed into a dumpster.

The owner reportedly told police the bones were from a chicken—but at least one observer said one of them appeared to be a human pelvic bone. Despite calls for further investigation, the bones were not confiscated. The property owner later asked for the related social media post to be taken down, prompting additional public concern.

While many of these details remain unconfirmed, they have kept Ja’Niyah’s story in the public eye — and that persistence has helped keep hope alive.

Confirmed Versus Speculative Timeline

Speculation & Community Leads Explained

Nathaniel Walker — Timeline, Truck, Cap & Allegations

• Who: Approx. 63‑year‑old truck driver; step‑father to Kearra Bates (the live‑in partner of Ja’Niyah’s mother).

• White Sox Cap Dispute: Repeated community posts cite a description of a “6’1 bald Black man in a black White Sox snapback” allegedly last seen with Ja’Niyah. MLAT says Walker denied owning such a hat, yet photos show him in a White Sox cap speaking to police at a search scene.

• Truck Presence/Absence: Community reports say his semi‑truck was parked overnight (Aug 11→12) and gone by morning, overlapping the official last‑seen window. Whether it moved before/after critical hours is a focal point.

• Travel & Logs: Walker allegedly said his wife drove “many hours” out‑of‑state to pick him up due to a breakdown. Relatives questioned why she would drive given her public health posts and why not use bus/flight. Because he is a long‑haul trucker, complete logs/GPS/fuel/weight‑station records are relevant—and currently unknown to the public.

• July 29 Birthday Party Claim: Walker reportedly claimed Ja’Niyah attended a family birthday party on 7/29/24. Family/advocates say no one has confirmed it and there are no typical public photos like other birthdays—making this a key factual dispute.

• SA Allegations: Dalia (grandmother) said during a livestream that Walker allegedly sexually assaulted both Ja’Niyah and a younger sibling. These are unverified allegations; no public charges at the time of writing.

Kearra Bates — Partner Dynamics & Allegations

• Who: Live‑in partner of Jasmine McMichael (Ja’Niyah’s mother).

• SA Allegations: Community streams and posts accuse Bates of sexual assault against Ja’Niyah. Unverified; no public charges noted.

• Harassment Of Volunteers: Searchers reported being shot at and harassed in proximity to the home area; some posts link those incidents to people connected to Bates. Names and relationships are part of online discussions but not confirmed by law enforcement.

• White Sox Cap Circle: MLAT noted multiple family/household members—including Bates—have been seen wearing White Sox caps, which complicates the cap‑based sighting.

Jashon Bailey — Family Link & Allegations

• Who: Reportedly the father of a child with aunt Unique James (maternal aunt of Ja’Niyah).

• SA Allegation: Community posts accuse Bailey of sexually assaulting Ja’Niyah. Unverified publicly; no known charges at this time.

Twyla (Twilya) Simone Johnson — Portage Address & Alternate Last‑Seen

• Address: Lily Street, Portage. Several relatives place Ja’Niyah at this home on Aug 11 before she “disappeared.”

• Warrant Calls: MLAT publicly urged the FBI to execute a search warrant at this location and to secure any surveillance footage.

• Impact: If Portage was the actual last‑seen, it would reframe timeline assumptions, jurisdiction, and who was responsible for her care that day.

Brown Family Ranch — Bones Found & Police Response

• Date: Jan 6, 2025 search reportedly turned up bones.

• Owner’s Claim: Chris Brown allegedly told police they were chicken bones; a remote observer believed a bone resembled a pelvic bone.

• Police Action: Reportedly, police did not collect the bones. The owner later asked that posts be removed; MLAT responded with First Amendment commentary.

Psychic’s Description & Geographic Match

• Public Psychic Livestream: In a public livestream covered by Missing Lost And Trafficked, a psychic described a vivid dream involving two churches, a white house between them, and an abandoned school. She stated she had never been to Gary, Indiana, yet later learned this layout closely matches an area near Front Street & 21st Street.

• Pastor Shawn: Community discussion linked this vision to a location once associated with a local pastor referred to as Pastor Shawn. Publicly available information shows a Pastor Shawn formerly ran a church in Gary but has posted very little in the past year.

• Psychic Reveals Shocking Information: The psychic’s account, though unverified, drew attention because it appeared to match real landmarks in the vicinity. This raised questions among advocates about whether anyone connected to these locations may have relevant information about Ja’Niyah’s disappearance.

• Disclaimer: This lead remains speculative and has not been confirmed by law enforcement. It is included here to document ongoing community theories and reported observations.

Chicago Lead — Harassment & Potential Ties

• Location: Pulaski & 26th, Chicago. Within the last 48 hours, a woman wearing a “Ja’Niyah” shirt was allegedly harassed by gang members.

• Relevance: Raises cross‑jurisdiction questions and supports calls for transparent, coordinated follow‑up on any Chicago‑area evidence.

Harassment Of Volunteers — Safety & Obstruction

• Searchers Shot at by Kearra Bates and her family: Multiple search team members reported being shot at – warning shots, vehicles shadowing, and verbal threats near 1951 Virginia St. and adjacent blocks.

• Accounts circulate that people close to household members helped discourage searches. These reports have not been formally adjudicated but are well‑documented in streams.

Neighbor Accounts — Loud Car & Vehicle Pickup

• A neighbor allegedly heard a very loud car and claimed seeing Ja’Niyah get into a vehicle the night she vanished.

• Combined with the semi‑truck presence/gone‑by‑morning detail, the community continues to push for a vehicle‑centric timeline.

Conflict Of Interest — Family Ties & Trust

• Community posts allege possible DCS and GPD ties among extended family/associates, which—if true—could chill reporting or slow urgency.

• These remain unverified claims; they are documented to reflect community concerns and why independent documentation has been so intense.

Past Federal Cases & Community Skepticism

DOJ press releases and NWI Times reporting in prior years reference Jasmine McMichael in a federal witness‑tampering/intimidation context tied to gang prosecutions (Latin Kings/Two‑Six). Those matters are separate from Ja’Niyah’s disappearance, but they explain why residents meticulously record harassment, push for warrants, and demand public timelines. (Readers can search DOJ/NWI Times archives.)

Call For Accountability

• Hold a televised press conference with full Q&A and a consolidated investigative timeline.

• Confirm comprehensive forensics at: Portage address (Lily St.), Calumet River banks, Brown Family Ranch, the church‑wall “cage” scene, and any Chicago locations.

• Obtain and review complete trucking logs (GPS/ELD, fuel, weigh stations, dispatch records) for all named drivers during the June–August window.

• Coordinate openly with state/federal partners on cross‑jurisdictional leads and threats to volunteers.

How You Can Help

• Say Her Name: Keep sharing Ja’Niyah’s story everywhere you live, learn, pray, and scroll.

• Read & Share: Profile on our site: Ja’Niyah McMichael‑Rogers – Missing & Trafficked

• Sign The Petition: Ask GPD to hold a public press conference — Sign here

We Won’t Stop

From Gary to Portage to Chicago, people are paying attention. We’re collecting statements, screenshots, locations, and timelines because a 13‑year‑old vanished and the story still doesn’t add up. We will keep pressing—publicly and respectfully—until Ja’Niyah is found and those responsible are held to account.