AIKEN COUNTY, S.C. () – The case of missing child, Javeayah Harris, has captivated the community since her disappearance on Tuesday, June 30th, 2026.
Authorities from the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office initiated their search for the 4-year-old in the vicinity of Hillsboro Street and Ridgecrest Road. They described Javeayah as wearing pink Minnie Mouse pajamas and Crocs, with braids adorned with pink beads, and urged residents to be vigilant.
By 11 a.m. on July 1st, the search efforts were amplified with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, the South Carolina Highway Patrol, and various other agencies actively joining in the mission to find Javeayah.
On July 2nd, the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office tackled public concerns regarding the absence of an Amber Alert and the need for community assistance in the search. They explained that an Amber Alert wasn’t issued as the criteria were not met and emphasized the importance of trained personnel handling the situation to prevent errors. By then, a vast 3000 acres had been searched. That afternoon, they held the inaugural press conference, outlining ways the community could provide information and urging people to share Javeayah’s image widely.
As the search stretched beyond 48 hours by July 3rd, authorities reported no evidence indicating that Javeayah had been abducted and suggested she might have wandered off independently. The search, concentrated around Reynolds Pond Road where she was last seen, involved hundreds of officers and first responders covering 5000 acres. By Friday night, these efforts were scaled back.
On July 4th, Sheriff Marty Sawyer held another press conference with news nobody wanted to hear.
I am deeply saddened to tell you our investigation and evidence leads us to believe 4-year-old Javeayah Harris is deceased. It is the outcome that we all feared and sadly, it is now what we face and we will face it together as a community.
According to Sheriff Sawyer, Javeayah Harris’ parents, Johmarea Harris, 23, and Michilae Herring, 22, were arrested and charged with Homicide by Child Abuse with Herring having an additional charge of Filing a False Police Report. Sheriff Sawyer stated that the 4-year-old was believed to have been dead for about a month.
The following day, Sunday, July 5th, bond was denied for the parents. Both Herring and Harris appeared at the hearings without an attorney. The community mourned the death of the little girl, even though most people didn’t even know her. A vigil was held in the The Alley Sunday night to show love, support and to honor Jeveayah.
While the parents have been arrested for Homicide in this case, the child’s body has not been found. On July 6th, Javeayah Harris’ mother reportedly admitted that she disposed of her body in another location, that was not released to the media. ACSO also released the 911 call that began this entire ordeal.
Tuesday, July 7th brought investigators back to search the Javeayah’s home and the wooded area around it. No information was released on what, if anything, was found there. Law enforcement left the home around 9 pm that night.
The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office announced on Wednesday, July 8th that another press conference would be held Thursday. The agency is expected to provide the latest in the investigation. It will be held at 10:30am and will be live streamed on our website, wjbf.com and on our Facebook page.
(TODAY) Thursday, July 9th, NewsChannel 6 will have a podcast beginning at 10:15 on 6+ leading up to the press conference. You can join Good Morning Augusta Anchor Mary Morrison and NewsChannel 6 Executive Producer Danielle Casalie as they discuss the case.
Another vigil will be held in Aiken this evening, July 9th, in honor of Javeayah Harris. The community is welcome to come to The Event Center on Shiloh Heights Road at 7:30.