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The search intensifies for missing Jacksonville mother, Kayla Bailey, with police warning she may be in danger.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The search continues for Kayla Bailey, a Jacksonville mother of five and well-known newborn photographer, who was reported missing Monday morning. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has launched an urgent search, warning she may be in danger and asking the public for help.
Search crews, investigators, and friends spent the evening combing the Maxville neighborhood by foot and with K9 units, determined to find Kayla and bring her home safely.
Kim North, a Maxville resident for 56 years, walks daily with her father through the neighborhood, including past Kayla’s home. She says recent changes caught her attention.
“We walk the two-mile block around the church, and we walk by the house, where Kayla is,” North said. “There were no bikes in the yard, and it seemed like there was no activity with the kids, which was unusual because they were almost always outside. They’d often come to my dad and give him a hug and say, ‘Hey, Mr. Roger.’”
Neighbors say Kayla, who has five children, was frequently seen walking and riding bikes with them, but lately, that stopped.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office says Kayla was reported missing Monday morning after she had not been seen since late Sunday evening.
Her 12-year-old daughter told us she saw her mother briefly around 5:45 a.m. Monday.
“I saw my mom just walking,” she said. “She looked right back at me. We were just contacting eyes for a second. Then I went back to sleep. Once we woke up, she was gone.”
According to the police report, Kayla’s husband, Joshua Bailey, told officers that the couple had been experiencing marital issues, and that Kayla had recently left with the kids but returned about a week ago.
Joshua Bailey said he believes Kayla is in personal danger but does not think anyone took her.
Using a locator app linked to Kayla’s phone, Joshua said her last known location was at a gas station near their home.
“The locator app from the PC, which is directly linked to her, said she was at the Sonoco at 6:39 a.m.,” Bailey said. “I’ve checked it on the hour multiple times.”
First Coast News requested surveillance footage from the gas station but was denied access.
“She definitely left here and went to the Sonoco, so we know she was willing to walk that far,” her husband added. “She may be willing to walk even further, but if you go up the 301, there are no stores. If you go back, there’s a mobile station and a landfill. It’s about 7.5 miles to the nearest McDonald’s.”
As the hours go by, family and friends continue the search on foot, hoping for any sign of Kayla.
Katina Johnson, a friend who met Kayla five years ago at church, says the news of her disappearance was a shock.
“I started crying because I was like, this is crazy,” Johnson said. “I work at a Christian school, and I had them pray for her there.”
Friends and neighbors are pleading for her safe return.
“We’re praying for you, Kayla. We hope you come home safe. We’d love to see you again,” said one neighbor.
If anyone has information that could help locate Kayla, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office urges you to contact them at 904-630-0500.
Kayla Bailey is described as 5 feet 8 inches tall, with blonde hair and glasses. She is pictured below.



