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.
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Antwan Bailey
Case Type: Endangered
Date of Birth: Jan. 1, 1994
Missing Date: Nov. 22, 2012
Age Now: 18
Missing City: Spartanburg
Missing State: South Carolina
Gender: Male
Race: Black
Complexion: Dark
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 150
Hair Color: Black
Hair Length: Short
Eye Color: Brown
Wear Glasses or Contacts: Yes
Location Last Seen: A family member reported Antwan Bailey missing on Friday, after he had not been seen or heard from since 9 a.m. on Thursday, police said. They said Bailey was seen leaving 317 Highland Ave. in a gold Toyota Camry with a friend.
Circumstances of Disappearance: “I was in there cooking Thanksgiving dinner and somebody lured him out…literally lured him out to supposedly go look at a car and he never did return,” said Kimberly West, his custodial parent.
Police suspect foul play was involved in Bailey’s disappearance, according to WYFF4.
“We actually believe it’s more than suspicious at this time. We can’t say there’s been foul play — we don’t know that. But we’re treating it as if there’s foul play,” said Spartanburg Public Safety Capt. Art Littlejohn.
West said she took Bailey in when he was in the fourth grade and has been caring for him ever since.
“He was real best friends with my son and I just took him in,” she said.
“I pray to God. I do, I pray to God. I just feel like, I don’t know. I just feel like he’s not coming back,” said a troubled West.
“The acquaintance Bailey left with is not someone he normally hangs out with,” said West. In addition, the young man had a large amount of cash on him that he was planning to use to buy the car. Bailey’s phone has been going straight to voice mail and his friends say they haven’t seen or heard from him.
“That’s the part I’m having a hard time believing. Bailey must have said something to one of his friends that could be useful to police. With this young man’s life hanging in the balance, it’s time for someone to be brave and step forward even if it means making an anonymous call.”
Identifying Marks or Characteristics: Unknown.
A $1,000 cash reward is being offered for information that helps police locate Bailey. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Antwan Bailey should contact Crime Stoppers at 1.888.CRIMESC or Text TIP649 with your tip to CRIMES (274637). You can also contact the Black and Missing Foundation’s confidential Tip Line.
