Na’Ziyah Harris is a 13-year-old girl who attended J.E. Clark Preparatory Academy on the east side of Detroit, Michigan and was adopted by her grandmother, Annette Harris.
But, on January 9, 2024, she vanished while traveling home from school.
That day, Na’Ziyah had gotten on her school bus in the afternoon and was last seen leaving the bus at about 2:50 p.m. in the Cornwall and 3 Mile Drive area, close to Warren Avenue and Outer Drive. Then, the young teen was never seen or heard from again.
Her family reported her missing to authorities the following day after Na’Ziyah did not come home.
“I want my baby home. I can’t sleep. I can’t eat. Just bring her home,” said Annette, Na’Ziyah’s grandmother.
Afterward, the Detroit Public Schools Community District launched an investigation and called in US Marshalls for assistance. Later, the Detroit Police Department (DPD) officially took over the case on February 13, 2024.
“Based on the circumstances, the Detroit Police Department has assumed the lead in this investigation. The department has committed resources toward locating Na’Ziyah,” the DPD said.
A search effort did occur on January 14, involving both volunteers and police dogs in the region where Na’Ziyah was last seen, but no evidence was found. Additionally, in the middle of this past February, police officers, K9 units, and helicopters scoured a portion of Pittsfield Township, which is approximately 45 minutes from where Na’Ziyah was last seen.
Around the same time, authorities executed a search warrant at a residence on the east side of Detroit, although what evidence– if any– was found has not been made public.
Investigators also searched a neighborhood located near Garland and Shoemaker on February 14, but the significance of this location remains unclear. Finally, authorities also announced that they began interviewing suspects on February 20. But, there have not been any arrests in Na’Ziyah’s disappearance.
In a mid-February press conference, Detroit Police Chief James White admitted that authorities are “very, very concerned” about Na’Ziyah’s well-being. Kari Sloan, the Detroit Police Deputy Chief, also said the department is “not ruling anything out at this point” and continues to “aggressively” search for Na’Ziyah.
“We have deliberated on a number of different factors. We hope we find her well,” detailed Labrit Jackson of the DPSCD Department of Public Safety.
“But we can’t operate on hope, and we have to operate on information, investigation, and work. That’s what we’re here to do today.”
Still, Na’Ziyah’s grandmother has continued to hold onto hope and is urging anyone with information in the community to come forward and speak out.
“When a child is missing, you gotta look everywhere. I don’t want to think the worst about it– about her being abducted. I’m hoping and praying that that is not the case. I’m standing on my faith that God is going to bring my baby home,” Annette said.
“We’re asking anybody with information, any information, I don’t care who it is, please come forward and contact the police. Her life could be in danger.”
At the time of her disappearance, Na’Ziyah was five foot two, weighed 130 pounds, and had her hair braided into two puff balls. She was last seen wearing light blue jeans, a white, pink, and black jacket that had a brown fur hood, and blue and white Nike shoes.
If you have any information regarding her disappearance or whereabouts, you are urged to contact the Detroit Police Department’s Major Crimes Division at (313) 596-2260.
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By Katharina Buczek
Katharina Buczek graduated from Stony Brook University with a degree in Journalism and a minor in Digital Arts. Specializing in... More about Katharina Buczek
