Post by HOPE on May 19, 2005 17:53:48 GMT -5
Description:
DOB: Nov 16, 2001
Missing: Oct 19, 2002
Age Now: 2
Sex: Female
Race: Black
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
Height: 2'6" (76 cm)
Weight: 20 lbs (9 kg)
Missing From: BARTOW, FL
United States
Circumstances:
She was last seen at home on October 19, 2002. She has pierced ears and light birthmark on her right leg. Her nickname is Ny Ny.
Contact Information:
Bartow Police Department (Florida) 1-863-534-5034
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST)
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Her family wants to believe that somewhere, Ta'Niyah Leonard is almost 3 years old, walking and talking and missing her mother.
It's why they continue to buy presents for birthdays they cannot celebrate, and Christmases during which they cannot see her.
Stephens, Ta'Niyah's second cousin, remembers the days after they first lost her.
She was used to seeing Ta'Niyah every two or three days. "All of the sudden, she just wasn't there," Stephens said.
It was a little easier the next year. But a little easier doesn't mean it's not hard, she said.
She remembers how Jones used to dress Ta'Niyah in little pink onesies, with a ruffled skirt and a matching headband.
She remembers her white sandals, and how when she was born, she hardly had any hair.
"She was funny," Stephens said. "Always smiling and dancing. Just a beautiful baby."
If someone has her, there's still time to do the right thing and return her, Stephens said.
And if that day ever comes, Stephens said the family already knows what it's going to do.
"We're gonna hug our baby," she said. "Hug her, and kiss her and cry."
Lauren Glenn can be reached at lauren.glenn@theledger.com or 863-401-6967.