In the quest to locate a missing 2-year-old girl from Lansing, whose disappearance prompted an Amber Alert almost 48 hours ago, the FBI has stepped forward to offer a reward of $25,000.
The young girl, Wynter Cole Smith, was reported missing from the 3000 block of BeauJardin Drive in Lansing at approximately 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 2.
Wynter’s disappearance follows an assault on her mother by her ex-boyfriend.
Rashad Malik Trice, aged 26, stands accused of visiting the Lansing residence at 11:19 p.m. on Sunday, where he allegedly assaulted his former girlfriend, Wynter’s 22-year-old mother. Reports indicate that the mother was subjected to multiple stab wounds but managed to escape the premises and seek assistance from a neighbor, as relayed by Lansing Police Chief Ellery Sosebee.
Upon the arrival of law enforcement officers, both Trice and Wynter were nowhere to be found. It was discovered that Trice had absconded with the mother’s white 2013 Chevrolet Impala. Meanwhile, Wynter’s 1-year-old sibling remained unharmed at the residence.
Authorities have confirmed that Wynter’s mother received medical treatment for her stab wounds and has since been discharged from the hospital.
Following the issuance of an Amber Alert, Trice was apprehended in St. Clair Shores.
Following the issuance of an Amber Alert for Wynter, which included details about Trice and the stolen Impala, St. Clair Shores police spotted the vehicle at approximately 4:45 a.m. on Monday in the vicinity of 9 Mile Road and Harper Avenue.
When an officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop, Trice evaded the police, leading to a collision with another patrol car in the area of Little Mack Avenue and 10 Mile Road, according to law enforcement officials.
One officer, who was inside the patrol car at the time of the crash, received treatment for injuries and has since been discharged.
During his arrest at the crash site, Trice actively resisted the law enforcement officers. Consequently, he was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in the collision.
Notably, Wynter was not found in Trice’s presence upon his apprehension by the police.
Lansing Police Chief Sosebee confirmed that Trice is currently conscious and awake while being monitored by Lansing police officers at a Detroit hospital. Once he has been medically cleared, he will be transported back to Ingham County.
At present, the specific charges Trice may face remain unclear.
$25,000 reward offered by FBI
At 4 p.m. on Tuesday, law enforcement officials, including police and FBI agents, conducted a live news conference to provide an update on the ongoing search for Wynter. Despite following up on various leads, Wynter’s whereabouts remain unknown.
Devin Kowalski, the acting special agent in charge, announced during the conference that the FBI is offering a $25,000 reward for any information that can assist in locating Wynter.
During her last sighting, Wynter was attired in a white T-shirt adorned with rainbows. She stands at approximately 2 feet in height, weighing between 25 and 30 pounds. Wynter has brown eyes and shoulder-length braided hair.
Police Chief Sosebee revealed that investigators have made a preliminary determination regarding the path Trice likely took between the assault in Lansing and his subsequent arrest in St. Clair Shores. Authorities have released maps detailing these routes.
Authorities are urging anyone who spotted the Impala during the period from 11:15 p.m. on Sunday to 1 a.m. on Monday to immediately report their observations to the police.
In this continued search, officials are seeking the public’s assistance. Individuals capable of contributing to the efforts by looking for Wynter, particularly along Trice’s presumed route, are kindly encouraged to do so. However, it is crucial to prioritize personal safety, especially around highways that might experience increased traffic due to the holiday season.
$25K reward offered in search for missing 2-year-old girl from Lansing