Vigil Held for Missing Gary Teen as Search Continues 18 Months Later

Loved ones plead for public's help in finding Ja'Niya McMichael, who disappeared in 2024 at age 13.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Loved ones held a vigil in Gary, Indiana, to keep attention on the disappearance of Ja'Niya McMichael, who has been missing since August 2024 at age 13. Search teams have combed abandoned buildings, undeveloped land and areas near water, but have not found new clues. Authorities believe she may be a victim of foul play, and her family is pleading for the public to come forward with information.

Why it matters

The disappearance of Ja'Niya McMichael has left her family and community searching for answers for over a year and a half. As authorities suspect foul play, the case highlights the ongoing challenges in finding missing persons, especially children, and the importance of community support and public engagement in these types of investigations.

The details

Search teams have thoroughly searched abandoned buildings, undeveloped land, and areas near water in the Gary, Indiana area, but have not found any new clues about Ja'Niya McMichael's whereabouts. Authorities believe the 13-year-old may have been a victim of foul play when she went missing in August 2024. Her family, including her father Antonio Rogers and grandmother Dalia Guerrero, are desperate for information and have been pleading with the public to come forward with any details that could help locate Ja'Niya.

  • Ja'Niya McMichael was reported missing from her Gary home in August 2024 at the age of 13.
  • It has been 18 months since Ja'Niya's disappearance.

The players

Ja'Niya McMichael

A 13-year-old girl who went missing from her home in Gary, Indiana in August 2024.

Antonio Rogers

Ja'Niya's father, who is pleading for the public's help in finding his missing daughter.

Dalia Guerrero

Ja'Niya's grandmother, who has traveled through Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin following leads in the search for her granddaughter.

Lorenzo Longoria

A member of the search team that has combed through abandoned buildings, undeveloped land and other locations in the Gary area looking for clues about Ja'Niya's disappearance.

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What they’re saying

“It's been 18 long months. I just want my baby girl and find her, and make sure she's OK. I'm begging the public, begging the community, please help me find my child. No parent ever wants to experience this.”

— Antonio Rogers, Ja'Niya's father (Fox32Chicago)

“Praying that somebody comes forward. That's what keeps me going, that I will see her again. And I'm her voice. Since we don't know where she's at right now, and we don't have answers, I'm her voice. I just need someone to come forward.”

— Dalia Guerrero, Ja'Niya's grandmother (Fox32Chicago)

What’s next

Search teams plan to return to some of the locations they have previously searched, including abandoned schools, undeveloped land, and burned down buildings, in hopes of finding new clues about Ja'Niya's disappearance.

The takeaway

The disappearance of Ja'Niya McMichael has left her family and community devastated and searching for answers for over a year and a half. As authorities suspect foul play, this case highlights the ongoing challenges in finding missing persons, especially children, and the critical importance of community support and public engagement in these types of investigations.