AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) – The FBI has joined the search for a missing 4-year-old girl in Aiken County, authorities said Wednesday.
Investigators say Javeayah Kemauni Harris was last seen Tuesday around 8:43 p.m. She was last seen wearing pink Minnie Mouse pajamas and Crocs and has pink braided hair.
She is described as being 3 feet 6 inches tall and weighing 40 pounds, according to officials.
The search lasted throughout Tuesday night into the morning hours, initially focusing on the area of Hillsboro Street and Ridgecrest Road, but it had expanded by Wednesday afternoon.
The sheriff’s office says crews worked until dark on Wednesday and will continue the search sometime Thursday.
The operation included road blockades, including Bethel Church Road at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday.
A thorough search
Officers from multiple agencies were brought in from across the region, along with at least one helicopter as well as drones.
As the search continues, deputies are asking the community not to show up in the area due to an implemented operational search plan.
Deputies say if they need volunteers and community organizations, they will let the public know.
In addition to the FBI, the search involved the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, Aiken Department of Public Safety, North Augusta Department of Public Safety, Edgefield County Sheriff’s Office, Lexington County Sheriff’s Office, S.C. Highway Patrol, S.C. Probation, Pardon and Parole, Aiken County Emergency Management and the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Crime Suppression Team.
On Tuesday night, GVW Fire, Monetta Fire Department and Eureka Fire were involved in the search.
FBI Columbia said, “The ongoing search for 4-year-old Javeayah Harris is leaving no place unchecked. Law enforcement and professionally trained searchers are working non-stop to #FindJaveayah. Law enforcement agencies are using every resource available to find this little girl.”
Speaking on why this case isn’t an AMBER Alert, Aiken County Department of Emergency Management said in a Facebook post, “An AMBER Alert is only issued if the case meets the required criteria, which includes a confirmed abduction, evidence of imminent danger, and enough descriptive information for the public to act on. That does not mean the case isn’t being actively investigated.”
Throughout the search, crews have conducted door-to-door checks and searched wooded areas.
Throughout the night Tuesday, deputies were stopping cars in the area to ask questions and search vehicles.
Around 12:45 a.m. Wednesday, the Aiken County alert system sent out alerts via text, email and phone for Harris.
Anyone who sees the child or has contact with her is urged to call 911 immediately.