Although African Americans make up just 13 percent of the U.S. population, we account for 33 percent of the missing in the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s database. Cases involving African Americans also tend to receive less media coverage than missing Whites, with missing men of color getting even less attention.
NewsOne has partnered with the Black and Missing Foundation and TV One to focus on the crisis of missing African Americans.
To be a part of the solution, NewsOne will profile a missing person weekly and provide tips about how to keep your loved ones safe and what to do if someone goes missing, while TV One‘s newest show, “Find Our Missing,” hosted by award-winning actress S. Epatha Merkerson, tells these stories in visual form.
—————————————
Adji Desir
Case Type: Disability, Endangered, Involuntary
Date of Birth: October 15, 2002
Missing Date: January 10, 2009
Age Now: 9
Missing City: Immokalee
Missing State: Florida
Gender: Male
Race: Black
Complexion: Dark
Height: 3’0″
LIKE NewsOne On Facebook To Stay Up On Black News Worldwide!
Weight: 45 lbs
Hair Color: Black
Hair Length: Shaved
Eye Color: Brown
Wear Glasses or Contacts: No
Location Last Seen: Adji was last seen playing outside of his house in Immokalee, Fla., on January 10, 2009. There is a $23,000 reward leading to the recovery of Adji.
Watch video of Adji’s disappearance here:
Circumstances of Disappearance: Adji was playing outside of his grandmother’s house. She realized he was gone 30 minutes after she last saw him. More than 300 law enforcement officers searched for Adji, who is mentally handicapped and functions at the level of a 2 year old with a very limited vocabulary. He understands Haitian Creole but doesn’t speak it. He can nod yes or no in response to questions. “Everyday, every night, every second I dream and think of where I can find Adji,” his mother Neida told the Naples Daily News.
Last Seen Wearing: He was last seen wearing a blue and yellow T-shirt, blue and yellow shorts, and black and gray sneakers.
Identifying Marks or Characteristics: Unknown. The National Center for Missing or Exploited Children released an age progressed photo (pictured right) in January.
Anyone with information about Adji can call the Collier County Sheriff’s Office at (239) 252-9300, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780- TIPS (8477), or the Black and Missing Foundation’s Tip Line.
