The search for 3-year-old Mariah Woods of Jacksonville, North Carolina, has entered its fifth day, and despite help from the FBI and volunteers, she still has not been found.
Early Monday, the toddler’s mother, Kristy Woods, reported her missing, saying she had last seen her daughter Sunday night when she put her to bed, according to the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office.
On Friday, more than 700 people showed up to volunteer in a search through the woods for the little girl ― so many that some had to be turned away, according to a Facebook post from the sheriff’s office.
Some volunteers had driven from as far as 120 miles away in Raleigh, reported local NBC affiliate WYFF News.
The sheriff’s office reported on Wednesday that more than 14 local, state and federal agencies were cooperating in the search for Mariah, and had so far conducted 100 interviews, followed over 140 leads, and searched hundreds of acres of the county by foot, by air and with dogs.
The sheriff’s office posted video Friday of the state highway patrol assisting from the air in the search for Mariah:
“More than 225 investigators, agents, and other law enforcement employees are working around the clock with one goal in mind, to find Mariah and bring her home safely,” the sheriff’s office posted on Facebook.
The search, which has been ongoing since Monday, has extended long past the critical first 48-hour period for authorities to locate a missing child and safely return them home. Each year, hundreds of thousands of children go missing in the United States ― the vast majority return home alive.
“Please, bring her back ... She’s my baby, she’s my everything,” Kristy Woods, who lives with her boyfriend, said at a news conference on Monday. “Just to be able to touch her and hold her and not let her go again. I’d give anything.”
The child’s biological father, Alex Woods, has expressed skepticism about her disappearance.
“Someone just walked right up in there, grabbed the 3-year-old out of the bed and she didn’t cry, she didn’t scream?” he told local ABC News affiliate WCTI News on Tuesday. “Nobody heard anything? Four people in the house, two adults and two kids someone just comes up and snatches the baby and walks out?”
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Onslow County Sheriff’s Office at 910-455-3113, or Crime Stoppers at 910-938-3273.
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
