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Ja’Niyah McMichael still missing a year later; calls for answers grow
Ja'Niyah McMichael,14, was reported missing from her home in Gary, Indiana last August and now there is a renewed push for answers in her case.
GARY, Ind. - It's been exactly one year since Ja'Niyah McMichael, 14, of Gary, Indiana disappeared, and now there is a renewed push for answers in her case.
Investigators believe the teen was a victim of foul play.
On Tuesday, Ja’Niyah’s grandmother told FOX 32 Chicago she believes, in her heart, that someone knows what happened to her grandchild.
The backstory:
Ja'Niyah's mother, Jasmine McMichael, reported her missing on Aug. 12, 2024, from their home near 19th Avenue and Virginia Street in Gary, Indiana.
In October, a search warrant was executed. Gary police said they have not released details of that search to preserve the integrity of the case.
The FBI is also involved in the investigation and says it strongly suspects foul play.
Ja'Niyah McMichael | FBI
Ja’Niyah was last seen wearing a black hoodie, black pajama pants, and red/black shoes.
What they're saying:
Ja'Niyah's grandmother, Dalia Guerrero, hasn't stopped searching for Ja'Niyah or distributing missing posters, and believes someone knows what happened to her. She is asking that person to come forward.
"One year ago today I got a phone call from my daughter saying that my granddaughter, Ja'Niyah, ran away, I don't believe she ran away," Guerrero said. "There's been leads but no solid leads, nothing. Just like she vanished."
Each day without Ja'Niyah leaves her grandmother more desperate for the truth.
"I hope that's not the case," Guerrero said of investigators' suspicions that her disappearance is linked to foul play. "But if it is the case, we need to bring her home, she needs to be laid to rest, because whatever the situation was, she didn't deserve it."
Guerrero says Ja'Niyah is on her mind 24/7.
"She's just so sweet, so sweet," Guerrero said.
Guerrero shared videos with FOX 32, showing the two embracing during a birthday celebration, and another of them dancing in a TikTok video.
"She brightens up the room, she's so full of joy," Guerrero said.
At the time she was reported missing, Ja'Niyah was 13 years old; she turned 14 in April.
"She should be with her friends having fun, getting ready for high school," Guerrero said. "You know, we just want her home. We miss her much."
Lisette Guillen from Case Files Chicago, which works to prevent violence and bring closure to families, is urging the public to think back to this time last year.
"Somebody knows, somebody knows, and we really feel that it's not just one person that knows, we feel like it's more than one person because the streets talk," Guillen said. "If you have information, you need to come forward."
The Gary Police Department issued a statement on the case Tuesday evening, shared below:
"The Gary Police Department acknowledges the first anniversary of the disappearance of Ja'Niyah McMichael with a steadfast commitment to bring her home.
"One year ago, 14-year-old Ja'Niyah disappeared from her home on the 1900 block of Malcolm X Boulevard. What began as an urgent search has evolved into a sustained investigation with federal and local law enforcement agency support.
"On April 28, 2025, the FBI and the City of Gary announced a $20,000.00 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Ja'Niyah's disappearance.
"Detectives have processed numerous tips, conducted interviews, and analyzed evidence. Each lead is pursued, and new information continues to shape our understanding of the case.
"Ja'Niyah was last seen wearing black pajama pants, a black hooded sweatshirt, and red and black shoes. The passage of time should not diminish the urgency of this case or the community's responsibility to help. Someone in our community could possess information that could prove vital to our investigation or help resolve this case.
"The Gary Police Department continues to work on active leads with the FBI and urges anyone with information related to Ja'Niyah's disappearance to come forward.
"Lead Detective Sgt. David Umbarger can be contacted at 219-881-1209 or dumbarger@gary.gov. Additional tips can be submitted to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or online at tips.fbi.gov."
What you can do:
In total, a $30,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for Ja'Niyah's disappearance.
The reward money is from the following organizations: On April 28, 2025, the FBI and the City of Gary announced a $20,000 reward. Meanwhile, an additional $10,000 was posted by USPA Nationwide Security, a private security company.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.
The Source: The information in this article was provided by the FBI, the Gary Police Department and FOX 32's Kasey Chronis.