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The safety and well-being of our children, the most vulnerable members of our community, is our highest priority. The City of Gary is deeply concerned about the case involving a missing teen, Ja’Niyah McMichael, a 13-year-old girl who was reported missing on August 11th, 2024.
Once the original report was made, the Gary Police Department began to work proactively to partner with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as well as the Department of Child Services to investigate this case and all reported tips and leads. Additionally, GPD has been in active communication with the family members of Ja’Niyah McMichael, who have assisted in the investigation.
The Gary Police sought out the Indiana State Police that approves alerts involving children and on September 5, 2024, a silver alert was released for Ja’Niyah McMichael. Furthermore, the Gary Police Department (GPD) is collaborating with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, ensuring that the investigation adheres to best practices.
This is an active and ongoing investigation. This investigation has led Gary Detectives to secure a court approved search warrant which was executed today in partnership with the FBI. To preserve the integrity of the case, the Gary Police Department is limited in additional details that can be shared publicly.
The Gary Police Department wishes to address the significant misinformation circulating on social media regarding the current case. We strongly urge the public to refrain from sharing unvetted information, as this can severely impede the ongoing investigation. Our actions to date have been aimed at ensuring compliance with the law and preserving the integrity of the investigation.
We encourage the public to exercise due caution if solicited for donations from individuals or vigilante groups claiming involvement with the police department or family. If anyone has any information concerning the disappearance of Ja’Niyah McMichael, please use the following official channels:
Contact the Gary Police Department at (219) 881-1229 or gfayson@gary.gov, the Department of Child Services Hotline at (800) 800-5556, or the FBI at (800) 225-5324 or submit tips online at www.tips.fbi.gov. Thank you for your cooperation and support in this matter.
