Milwaukee Woman Joniah Walker Missing Nearly 4 Years

Advocates argue cases of missing Black women and girls receive less media attention and resources

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Joniah Walker, a 15-year-old Black girl, went missing from Milwaukee in June 2022. Nearly four years later, her family is still searching for answers as advocates highlight the disproportionate impact of violence and disappearances on Black women and girls compared to other groups.

Why it matters

Statistics show that while nearly 73% of Milwaukee's 17,800 missing person reports from 2020 to 2025 involved Black individuals, advocates argue these cases receive significantly less media attention and fewer resources. State Representative Shelia Stubbs is advocating for a task force to address why Black women and girls are disproportionately impacted by violence and disappearances.

The details

Joniah Walker was last seen on June 23, 2022, walking near her home in Milwaukee. Surveillance video shows her wearing a large camping backpack, but there have been no confirmed sightings since then. Her family believes she may have been lured away by someone she was talking to online. Milwaukee police say Joniah's whereabouts remain unknown, and she has not been classified as a 'critical missing person' despite her family's pleas for more urgency in the investigation.

  • Joniah Walker was last seen on June 23, 2022.
  • Joniah has been missing for nearly 4 years.

The players

Joniah Walker

A 15-year-old Black girl who went missing from Milwaukee in June 2022.

Jonathan Walker

Joniah's father, who is still searching for answers about her disappearance.

Joniah's mother

She goes by the last name Howard and believes Joniah was lured away by someone she was talking to online.

Shelia Stubbs

A state representative who is advocating for a task force to address the disproportionate impact of violence and disappearances on Black women and girls.

Jamie Sromalla

A Milwaukee police investigator who now oversees missing persons cases, including Joniah's.

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What they’re saying

“I miss my baby. I don't have nobody to call for my pancakes.”

— Jonathan Walker, Joniah's father (fox6now.com)

“I believe she was, I'm not going to say that, but I know she was lured away online, talking to somebody online that she didn't have no business talking to, and they tricked her.”

— Joniah's mother (fox6now.com)

“They never came to my house. They never got photos of her. That was the first and only time.”

— Joniah's mother (fox6now.com)

“I just hope that she's safe. And I want her to know that there are people who love her and want her to come home.”

— Jamie Sromalla, Milwaukee Police Investigator (fox6now.com)

“If it was a little white girl, I believe they would have done something different.”

— Joniah's mother (fox6now.com)

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing issue of disproportionate attention and resources given to missing persons cases involving Black women and girls compared to other groups. Advocates are calling for more action to address this disparity and ensure all missing persons cases receive the urgency and care they deserve.