Black And Missing
Case solved : Tips help identify ‘Baby Bones’, 3 charged with her murder
The identity of an adolescent’s charred remains found in Upper Freehold, NJ in 2005 was a mystery until tips solved the case nearly seven years later.
The identity of an adolescent’s charred remains found in Upper Freehold, NJ in 2005 was a mystery until tips solved the case nearly seven years later.
New York City child welfare officers received a tip of a murdered child which pointed to the unidentified remains.
The girl has been identified as 9-year-old Jon-Niece Jones, of Harlem, N.Y., and charges were filed against three people, including the girl’s aunt and uncle, for covering up her death, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni said in a news release.
An informant told child welfare officials an adolescent may have been killed in Manhattan in 2002 and provided a location where the body was disposed of in New Jersey, authorities said.
The baby bones case received national attention after it appeared on America’s Most Wanted.
Child welfare services contacted New Jersey state police where the identity was finally made.
In March 2005, a hunter came across a partially buried skull and jawbone in Clayton Park in Upper Freehold Township. Later, New Jersey State Police excavated the site and found a complete skeleton along with a child-size black Nike Air Force One shoe and a piece of canvas material with a print of the Warner Brothers cartoon character Sylvester the Cat, state police said in 2007.
The New Jersey State Police had developed a composite sketch of the girl and a computer-generated image based on a CAT scan of the child’s skull that was found in Upper Freehold Township. A DNA profile was also created.
“Thanks to the diligence and dedication of our Child Protective Specialist and Investigative Consultants, working collaboratively with law enforcement, this cold case has finally been solved,” New York City Administration for Children’s Services Commissioner Ronald E. Richter said in a statement issued to NJ.com. “This brings long-delayed resolution to the previously unrecognized and tragic death of Jon-Niece Jones.”
Authorities say the girl was killed at her Aunt Likisha Jones’ home in Harlem, NY on August 15, 2002 and her uncle, James Jones, and aunt’s boyfriend, Godfrey Gibson, set her body on fire before disposing of the remains in Upper Freehold Township.
Jon-Niece Jones was abused by her mother, Elisha Jones, for years, authorities said. The mother died a few months after the girl’s death from an unspecified disease.
The girl was not under the care of child services’ before her death, according to the New York City Administration for Children’s Services.
“The family members of Jon-Niece Jones turned a blind eye to the constant physical and mental abuse this young girl endured for years,” said Colonel Rick Fuentes, Superintendent of the State Police. “Because of the hard work by investigators, these three suspects will now have to answer for their alleged unthinkable actions.”
James Jones, 35, of Brooklyn, Godfrey Gibson, 48, of Manhattan, and Likisha Jones, 39, of Manhattan have been charged with third-degree hindering the apprehension of another, fourth-degree tampering with physical evidence, fourth-degree obstructing the administration of justice and conspiracy to commit the aforementioned crimes. Gibson was also charged with a separate hindering count.
The aunt and uncle’s bail was set at $40,000 with no 10 percent option, and Gibson’s bail was set at $75,000 with no 10 percent option.
Black And Missing
Marine from Massachusetts goes missing off coast in Puerto Rico
A family is holding out hope after U.S. Marine Samuel Muturi Wanjiru went missing on March 27 off the coast in Puerto Rico.
A family is holding out hope after U.S. Marine Samuel Muturi Wanjiru went missing on March 27 off the coast in Puerto Rico.
Missing details for Marine Samuel Muturi Wanjiru
Corporal Samuel Wanjiru, 26, of Worcester, Mass., was swept away by ocean currents while being in the water at La Pared beach in Luquillo.
The Coast Guard launched helicopters and aircraft to look for Wanjiru, but those search efforts were unsuccessful. The active search was called off on April 1.
At the time of his disappearance, Wanjiru was vacationing with his partner of five years, Natasha Castillo-Vargas.
Castillo-Vargas, her father, and Wanjiru’s mother are still in Puerto Rico, returning to the beach daily where Wanjiru went missing, continuing to look for him.
GoFundMe
She has since started a GoFundMe campaign to help the family with expenses and search efforts while they remain in Puerto Rico.
“Samuel’s mother and I are trying to get as much resources and help as we can because we will not give up hope in finding our Samuel. Please, anything anyone can help with would be most appreciated.”
In addition to donations, the family asks the public for prayers and love during this “devastating and heart aching time.”
“We are firm believers in God as Samuel is too and we have faith that he will be found. Thank you for your support!”
Black And Missing
Baltimore police searching for kidnapped 4-year-old
4-year-old Kaimir Rodgers was reportedly kidnapped in front of his West Baltimore home.
Update: The search for 4-year-old Kaimir Rodgers has been called off. Baltimore police say he was found safe and unharmed at a family member’s home in Baltimore County.
Detectives are still investigating it as a kidnapping.
Authorities in Baltimore are seeking the public’s help in finding 4-year-old Kaimir Rodgers.
4-year-old Kaimir Rodgers is missing
According to police, Kaimir was taken from his family’s home in the 1900 block of Ruxton Avenue in West Baltimore on Tuesday. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt.
Police shared a video of the child being carried away by a person wearing light gray sweatpants, a dark gray hoodie and pink sneakers.
The person is seen accompanied by two other people, according to police. One is dressed in all black and the other is seen wearing a light gray sweatshirt, dark gray pants and a black ski mask.
Information on his disappearance
If you have any information on Kaimir’s whereabouts and the identities of those who took him, call 911 or Baltimore detectives at 410-396-2477.
Black And Missing
FBI offers $15K reward in search for missing 12-year-old girl
The FBI is seeking the public’s help in locating 12-year-old Lori Paige.
The FBI is seeking the public’s help in locating 12-year-old Lori Paige.
Missing details
Lori went missing from Tallahassee, Floria on June 3, 2023.
Authorities is offering $15k on any information on Lori’s disappearance.
“The FBI will stop at nothing to protect kids, and we are fully committed to helping our partners at Tallahassee Police Department exhaust every investigative resource in the search for Lori Paige,” FBI Jacksonville Acting Special Agent in Charge Mark Dargis told WTXL news station.
“We encourage everyone to keep an eye out for this young lady, and help us bring her home.”
According to the FBI, Lori has ties to or may visit Tallahassee, Florida; Tampa, Florida; Thomasville, Georgia, and Nashville, Tennessee.
Authorities are taking the missing case seriously, statimh in a media advisory on Feb. 1 that TPD’s Special Victims Unit is continuing to “tirelessly explore every lead and resource to locate [Lori Paige].”
“The length of time that has passed and her young age only heightens our concerns for her well-being,” the statement said.
“Despite our persistent efforts, Lori remains out of contact with her family and friends. However, we remain committed to bringing her home safely.
About Lori Paige
The 12-year-old was a student at Griffin Middle School.
She was last seen on June 3, 2023 in the 1200 block of Continental Ct in Tallahassee.
She is described as a dark-skinned Black female with shoulder length locs, black hair, brown eyes and weighs about 120 pounds.
Police said that it is unknown what she was wearing when she was last seen, but she may have had a multicolored backpack.
Police are asking anyone with information that could lead to Lori’s recovery to contact TPD at 850-891-4200.
Family of Black teen shot in head after ringing doorbell of wrong home sues gunman and HOA
Gymnast Morgan Price becomes the first HBCU athlete to win national collegiate title
Paramedic involved in Elijah McClain’s death sentenced to probation, work release and community service
5-year-old helps save his family from house fire
Honor student killed by stray bullet while visiting Delaware State University
Marine from Massachusetts goes missing off coast in Puerto Rico
Magnitude 4.8 earthquake strikes northeastern United States
Legendary DJ Mister Cee passes away
After more than 60 years, a championship HBCU men’s basketball team visits White House
South Carolina defeats Iowa 87-75 to win NCAA women’s championship
KevOnStage’s “Churchy” coming to BET+
Garrett Morris to be honored with star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame
BLK Dating App launches “New Year, Real You: #RealNotPerfect” campaign to empower Black women in 2024
Marlena Shaw, legendary jazz singer, dies at 81
2023 saw a record year of killings by police in U.S.
- Mental health conference coming to Brookdale Community College in June
- N.J. Congressman Donald Payne Jr. dies at 65
- Odessa Dangler, one of the first Black, female entrepreneurs in Long Branch, passes at 87
- In Loving Memory : Renée McMillan (1963 – 2024)
- Carl Jennings, former Long Branch recreation director, dies at 76
- MyCompiledThoughts – “Soul Brother, Chapter 1” EP
- Brittany Davis debuts autobiographical album ‘Image Issues’
- TEENEAR Unwraps Sultry R&B Single and Music Video for the Holidays: ‘LONELY AT CHRISTMAS’ feat. Ronnie V
- sOuL from the O – “Family Tree”
- Yuneer Gainz – “Wave Today” Featuring JRGotTheHiTS (Music Video)
-
Entertainment8 years agoBad Boy Reunion Concert :: Major Let Down! (Opinion)
-
News3 years agoUncle of Darnella Frazier, Teen Who Filmed George Floyd’s murder, Killed in Minneapolis Police Car Crash
-
Social Justice10 years ago11 Facts About The Michael Brown Case
-
Black Excellence7 months agoUnheard Voices Editor-in-Chief receives prestigious Women of Color STEM Award
-
Health & Wellness4 years agoMeet 105-year-old runner Ida Keeling
-
Interviews5 years agoAll eyes on Rick Fouche
-
New Jersey14 years agoBad Police Behavior: Who is looking through your garbage?
-
Entrepreneur Spotlight14 years agoAuthor Larry Wilson Jr : The voice of a new African American writer