Arizona authorities have arrested the mother of Jhessye Shockley, 5-yrs last seen more than a month ago. Jerice Hunter was placed under arrest for child abuse directly related to her daughter Jhessye Shockley, Glendale Police Sgt. Brent Coombs said.
“Our investigators are still working diligently to locate Jhessye,” he said. “This is a step down that path.”
In October Jhessye’s Grandmother asked for help in the disappearance of Jhessye who allegedly wandered out of her Glendale home on October 11, unnoticed by her 13, 9 and 6yr old siblings who were supposed to be watching her. Her mother contacted police, saying she couldn’t find her daughter when she returned home from an errand.
Hunter pleaded for the public’s help.
“Please bring my baby back. Her safe return is all I want.” Hunter said last month. “She belongs to this family. She’s somebody’s child. Mine. Please bring my child home.”
The reward for information leading to Jhessye, as well as to those responsible for her disappearance, has increased to $25,000, Coombs said Monday. Jhessye is a black female about 3 feet 5 inches tall, 55 pounds, with black hair in a ponytail and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a white T-shirt, blue jean shorts and pink sandals.
Given the time that has passed, the police do not believe that it is likely Jhessye is alive. However you never know as miracles can happen.
Jerice Hunter’s older three kids were removed after Jhessye was reported missing and her newborn baby was taken from her immediately after birth. She also has a chilling background of abusing her own kids which kept her in prison in California for three years. She has refused to take a polygraph test and police say she’s been uncooperative. She has spent much of her time criticizing the media for racist reporting and the police department for mishandling her daughter’s case.
November 22, 2011
Crime News