FBI offering $25,000 reward in search for missing 2-year-old Michigan girl; suspect in Amber Alert arrested
LANSING, Mich. (WILX/Gray News) - Lansing Police and the FBI are continuing to search for a missing 2-year-old girl.
Wynter Cole Smith went missing on Sunday after her mother’s ex-boyfriend allegedly kidnapped her, authorities said.
Officials are asking for Ring doorbell cameras or security cameras from the public around the suspected travel route.
The FBI is now offering a $25,000 reward for anyone with information that leads to finding Wynter.
Officials warned that anyone who has her or knows where she is and withholds that information will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
According to authorities, the incident started when Lansing police initially responded to the area of BeauJardin Drive and Belle Chase Boulevard at about 11:30 p.m. Sunday for a reported stabbing.
When police arrived, they found a 22-year-old woman who had been stabbed. She reportedly told police that 26-year-old Rashad Trice stabbed her.
She was transported to a hospital and is expected to survive.
Officials said the 22-year-old woman and Trice had a previous relationship together.
Authorities said investigators learned Trice left the home after stealing the victim’s Chevrolet Impala and learned that the victim’s daughter, 2-year-old Wynter Smith, was no longer at the home.
Police said Wynter is not Trice’s biological daughter, and he kidnapped her.
Wynter is described as a Black girl with braided shoulder-length hair. She was last seen wearing a white T-shirt with rainbows.
The St. Clair Shores Police Department found the stolen vehicle at about 5 a.m. Monday. Officials said the suspect fled from police and eventually came to a stop after colliding with another St. Clair Shores police vehicle. According to authorities, Trice resisted police and was arrested.
A St. Clair Shores police officer received medical treatment for his injuries from the crash and was discharged. Trice also received injuries from the crash and was transported to a hospital for treatment.
Wynter was not found in the car and is still missing.
The FBI shared a missing person poster Tuesday morning with the latest information on Wynter.
The missing child investigation is now being coordinated by the FBI Field Office in Lansing.
Anyone with information on Wynter’s whereabouts is asked to submit tips to http://tips.fbi.gov or call 1-800-CALL-FBI.
People also can contact the Lansing Police Department at 517-483-4600 or call 911.
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