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AIKEN COUNTY, S.C. (BFMG) — Aiken County Sheriff Marty Sawyer on Thursday called the investigation into the death of 4-year-old Javeayah Harris “one of the most deeply disturbing and emotionally taxing” cases his office has ever worked, as he announced that human remains consistent with the child’s DNA have been recovered and new charges filed against her parents.
Sawyer spoke at a press conference surrounded by local, state and federal partners who have spent weeks searching for the missing child. He said the past week has been “heart‑wrenching for everyone,” but also marked by a massive joint law enforcement effort and an outpouring of support from the community.
The sheriff said that while he would not use the terms “mother” or “father” to describe Jamaria and Michilae Harris in order to preserve the integrity of the case, investigators now believe both parents caused Javeayah’s death through abuse and then took deliberate steps to conceal what happened.
Sawyer announced that human remains were recovered in an area known as Cedar Creek Reservoir, also called Stumpy Pond, in Fairfield County. The remains were sent to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), where DNA analysis determined they were consistent with being the biological child of Jamaria and Michilae Harris.
According to the sheriff, forensic evidence, statements and case analysis show that “extensive and deliberate efforts were made to destroy and conceal evidence” after the child’s death. Sawyer said investigators believe corrosive chemicals and other tools were used to accelerate the destruction of Javeayah’s body, and that what remained was ultimately poured into the reservoir.
“In my 37-year career in law enforcement, I have never, ever heard of anything so horrific,” Sawyer said, noting that because of the nature of the destruction, it is unlikely that the entirety of Javeayah’s body or additional remains will ever be recovered. He reiterated that investigators had hoped and prayed to find her body, but “with the information we’ve uncovered, that’s simply not possible.”
Sawyer said additional charges related to the destruction and desecration of human remains have been filed against Jamaria and Michilae Harris, who were previously charged in connection with their daughter’s death. He did not detail every count, citing the need to protect the ongoing prosecution and deferring questions about potential future charges or sentencing decisions to the Second Circuit Solicitor’s Office.
The sheriff confirmed that investigators believe Javeayah had been dead for about a month before the 911 call that initially reported her missing, transforming what began as a complex search-and-rescue operation into a homicide and evidence‑recovery case that has taken law enforcement far beyond Aiken County’s borders.
Sawyer repeatedly emphasized the toll the case has taken on deputies, divers, forensic teams and community members who hoped to bring Javeayah home. He thanked SLED, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources divers, Fairfield County Sheriff Will Montgomery and numerous other agencies and first responders who spent “hours and hours and hours” searching Cedar Creek Reservoir and combing for evidence.
“Our commitment has been to pursue the truth, regardless of how difficult it may be,” Sawyer said. “Today is not only about the evidence recovered — it’s about a child whose life was taken far too soon.”
He stressed that the investigation is not over. Aiken County investigators will continue to follow leads, examine evidence and work closely with the solicitor’s office to pursue justice for Javeayah. Sawyer asked the public to keep the child’s extended family, his staff, partner agencies and the community in their thoughts and prayers.
The sheriff also acknowledged the emotional impact on residents, praising the community for its compassion, encouragement, patience and prayers throughout the case. He noted that many in law enforcement planned to participate in a vigil for Javeayah and that personnel wearing pink — the child’s favorite color — was one way to show they “are human beings, not robots,” who care deeply about the loss of a 4‑year‑old girl.
“Even in the face of tragedy, compassion, unity and service remain stronger than the darkness we’ve encountered,” Sawyer said before taking a limited number of questions, reminding reporters that he would not go beyond the information in the official press release while the case moves forward.
