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.
—————————————
Unique Harris
Case Type: Endangered
Date of Birth: Jan 31, 1986
Missing Date: Oct 10, 2010
Age Now: 27
Missing City: Washington
Missing State: District of Columbia
Gender: Female
Race: Black
Complexion: Medium
Height: 5’7″
Weight: 130
Hair Color: Black
Hair Length: Medium
Eye Color: Brown
Wear Glasses or Contacts: Yes
Location Last Seen: Saturday, October 10, 2010, in the 2400 block of Hartford Street, SE.
Circumstances of Disappearance: Harris disappeared from her home in the middle of the night, where she lived with her two children in an apartment complex her family was wary of. Harris’ children believe they might have heard a male voice. The children’s room shared a wall with Harris’ room. Harris’ purse and glasses were left behind and there was no sign of forced entry.
“I have never in my life not known where my child is. For 24 years, I spoke with her every day,” Harris’ mother, Valencia, told the Washington Post for an extensive 2011 profile of the case.
Police immediately suspected criminal wrongdoing.
“We felt it would be very odd that she would disappear,” said Joel Maupin, commander of the District’s 7th Precinct.
As far as anyone knew, she didn’t have family problems. She didn’t have a drug problem. And yet, “there was no indication of any foul play. The place wasn’t disheveled; it wasn’t torn up. . . . You do have cases where people just leave, but we didn’t feel like that was the situation here.”
Last Seen Wearing: A white shirt and gray pants.
Identifying Marks or Characteristics: Harris has tattoos on her lower back and left arm.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts or circumstances of the disappearance of Unique Harris should contact the Black and Missing Foundation’s confidential Tip Line.
