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AIKEN COUNTY, S.C. (BFMG) — Authorities in Aiken County are continuing an extensive search for a missing 4-year-old girl last seen Tuesday night, as local, state and federal resources remain on the ground.
The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office said a 911 call was received at approximately 8:43 p.m. reporting a missing child in the area of Hillsboro Street and Ridgecrest Road. The child has been identified as Javeayah Kemauni Harris.
According to an incident report, Javeayah’s mother told deputies she last saw the child around 8 p.m. playing in a chicken coop. She was described as wearing a pink Disney shirt with matching shorts, pink beads in her hair and Crocs.
Javeayah’s father arrived at the residence around 9 p.m. and told deputies he had been at a laundromat for about an hour and a half, authorities said.
Law enforcement launched a large-scale search shortly after the report was made. The operation includes nearly 200 law enforcement officers and first responders, along with K-9 teams, drones and helicopters. Deputies have also conducted a grid search covering more than 3,000 acres on foot.
Roadblocks were established in the surrounding neighborhood and remain in place as investigators work to identify potential witnesses. The sheriff said the checkpoints are intended to gather information from individuals who may not realize they saw something significant.
The FBI’s Columbia field office is assisting in the investigation, providing analytical support and deploying agents who specialize in missing children cases.
Digital billboards have also been activated to increase public awareness and generate leads.
During a news conference held Thursday, the sheriff emphasized that investigators cannot release all details of the case at this time. He also said the criteria for issuing an Amber Alert have not been met, citing a lack of evidence indicating the child was abducted.
At this stage, authorities continue to classify the case as a missing persons investigation.
Investigators have collected video evidence from multiple homes and businesses in the area as they work to establish a timeline of events.
Anyone with information or possible sightings is urged to contact the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office at 803-502-5200. Authorities are also asking residents to submit any relevant photos or video captured between June 15 and June 30.
The search remains ongoing. Stay tuned for updates as we receive them.
