Katharina Buczek
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.
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