Every 40 seconds, another child in America either goes missing or is abducted, according to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. Black American girls especially—though just a fraction of the population—are disappearing at alarming rates, and demand our attention. Despite only making up a reported 14% of the U.S. female population, they accounted for more than a third of all missing girls reported in 2022, per the U.S. Department of Justice.
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The following cases highlight just a few of the many Black girls under 18 who are missing across America’s cities as of August 2025, along with any details available for each report, according to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. Their stories reflect a crisis that continues to grow year after year. #Sayhername.
New York
Nevaeh Richards
Nevaeh Richards was reportedly last seen on August 17. She is from Yonkers, NY, and is currently 14 years old. According to this missing teen alert, her family is “waiting, hoping, and praying for answers.” If you have any information about Nevaeh, please contact the Yonkers Police Department (New York), at 1-914-377-7777.
Kaniyha Elizabeth Lane
Kaniyha Elizabeth Lane was reportedly last seen on August 16. She is from Far Rockaway, NY, and is currently 16 years old. Lane was described as a female standing nearly 5 feet tall and weighing 104 pounds. She has brown eyes and black hair, per WSOCTV. If you have any information about Kaniyha, please contact the New York City Police Department (New York), at 1-212-694-7781.
Fredericka Sanders
Fredericka Sanders was reportedly missing since August 10. She is from Buffalo, NY, and is currently 15 years old. According to her missing child Facebook poster, she was last known to be in the Buffalo area. “Every minute matters in bringing her home safely,” a report by A Voice for the Voiceless states. If you have any information about Fredericka, please contact the Buffalo Police Department (New York), at 1-716-853-2222.
Patrice Washington
Patrice Washington has been missing since August 10. The now 17-year-old is from Bayshore, NY, and was last spotted wearing a black and gray shirt, black bike shorts, and crocs. Her missing child Facebook post states her hair was last seen in “dreadlocks,” although her photo shows a popular hairstyle called senegalese twists. If you have any information about Patrice, please contact the New York State Missing Persons Clearinghouse, at 1-800-346-3543.
California
Saniyah Nevaeh Smith
Saniyah Nevaeh Smith from Los Angeles, CA, has been missing since August 7. A YouTube announcement was made for the now 15-year-old, in addition to an Instagram post urging the public to report any tips they may have to help find Saniyah. If you have any information about Saniyah, please contact the Los Angeles Police Department (California), at 1-877-275-5273.
Ra’Niyah Moorehead
Ra’Niyah Moorehead has been missing from Los Angeles, CA, since August 6, 2025. The now 15-year-old may still be in the area and could go by the nickname “Nova.” Anyone with information is urged to contact local authorities. If you have any information about Ra’Niyah, please contact the Los Angeles Police Department (California), at 1-877-275-5273.
Zarriah Hansel
Zarriah Hansel has been missing from El Cajon, CA, since August 5. A Tiktok page has also been made to raise awareness of her whereabouts. If you have any information about Zarriah, please contact El Cajon Police Department (California), at 1-619-579-3311.
Texas
Jayda Renee Brown
Jayda Renee Brown, 16, has been missing from San Antonio, TX, since August 18, per Missing Kids, although KNUE reported the teenager missing nearly a month ago, on July 28. If you have any information about Jayda, please contact the San Antonio Police Department (Texas), at 1-210-207-7273.
Christiember Malayzer Aja Williams
Christiember Malayzer Aja Williams was previously reported missing on November 6 in Houston, TX, per Court TV. However, Missing Kids reported the now 17-year-old missing since August 11. If you have any information about Christiember, please contact the Houston Police Department (Texas), at 1-713-884-3131.
Imani Anice Williams
Imani Anice Williams has been missing from Whitewright, TX, since August 8. The 15-year-old may also be with 1-year-old daughter, Journee Williams. While her exact physical description hasn’t been released, her missing child post—added by Ebonie Marie Baxter—urged folks to “Look closely at every young mother. Every stroller. Every child.” If you have any information about Imani and her baby Journee, please contact the Whitewright Police Department (Texas), at 1-903-364-2210.
Violet Aleman
Violet Aleman, 17, has been missing from Austin, TX, since August 1. No additional details regarding the now 17-year-old have been found. If you have any information about Violet, please contact the Austin Police Department (Texas), at 1-512-974-2000.
Florida
Roniya Williams
Roniya Williams has been missing from Jacksonville, FL, since August 17. No additional details regarding the now 16-year-old have been released. Her missing child Facebook report states that her family is “deeply concerned for her safety.” If you have any information about Roniya, please contact the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (Florida), at 1-904-630-0500.
Exodus Sofia-Faye Cummings-Bert
Exodus Sofia-Faye Cummings-Bert has been missing from Fort Lauderdale, FL, since August 9. Additional details regarding the now 15-year-old have not been released. If you have any information about Exodus, please contact the Fort Lauderdale Police Department (Florida), at 1-954-764-4357.
Aniyah Noel Maitre
Aniyah Noel Maitre, 16, has been missing from Fort Myers, FL, since August 5. The now 16-year-old may still be in the local area. Although not shown in her missing photograph, Aniyah has a nose piercing, according to Missing Kids. If you have any information about Aniyah, please contact the Fort Myers Police Department (Florida), at 1-239-321-7700.
Viriginia
Anjela Braxton
Anjela Braxton has been missing from Henrico, VA, since August 8. The now 17-year-old was last spotted wearing a black hoodie, blue jean shorts, and orange Vans shoes, per Missing Kids. “Please share this post so more eyes can see Anjela’s face. The more people who know, the better our chances of bringing her home,” Crime Facts stated regarding her poster. If you have any information about Anjela, please contact the Henrico County Police Department, at (804) 501-5000.
Disclaimer: All children listed in this story were reported missing as of the publication date, according to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. For the most up-to-date information, please contact the organization’s 24-Hour Call Center, at 1-800-843-5678.
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