A South Florida community was left with more questions than answers after a local resident disappeared last week. Kameela Russell has been missing since last Wednesday when the 41-year-old mother of two was last seen on her way to pick up her 6-year-old daughter from her aunt’s house in Miami Gardens.
Russell’s aunt, Donna Blyden, told WSVN that she saw Russell’s car, a 2014 Black Audi A6, pull into her driveway, but when she looked back, the car was gone and so was her niece. “I looked out the window, and knew I saw Kameela’s car in the driveway,” Blyden said. “When I look again, I didn’t see the car. So I text her and say, ‘Where are you? I know you were in the driveway just now, and now you’re not here. Where are you?’ I didn’t get an answer.”
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Russell’s family claimed that it wasn’t like her to just take off, especially without giving any notice. Her 15-year-old daughter Skye Braddy said she was expecting her mother to come home. But now she, as well as members of the community, is pleading for her safe return.
“Everybody’s fighting for you,” Braddy said. “People who I haven’t seen in years coming out trying to help you. Your students. We need you.”
The missing mom works for the Miami Gardens School District as a test chair for Norland Senior High School. She had been with the district since 2014 and also worked as a teacher at Walter C. Young Middle School. Police said Russell showed up for work the day of her disappearance but was not present Thursday or Friday.
A spokesman for the district released a statement regarding Russell’s disappearance, according to ABC News.
“This teacher’s disappearance is of great concern to her family and to many educators and students throughout Miami-Dade County Public Schools who hope and pray for her safe return,” John Schuster said. “We are assisting police in every way possible as they search for her.”
It was apparent that Russell loved her students. In her last Instagram video, Russell humorously demanded that students at Walter C Young provide her an invitation to their 2019 graduation.
“Love you, mean it, bye,” she finally said.
Russell is originally from the Bahamian Island New Providence but moved to Florida, where the government has recently been focusing its controversial immigration policies.
Missing from reports about Russell was any mention of the father(s) of her two daughters. Many times disappearances of women result from domestic disputes, which is unfortunately too common, especially among Black women.
Russell was last seen wearing black and purple braids, gray leggings, a striped shirt and sneakers. Russell is being described as 5’7 and 165 pounds. Anybody with any information about her whereabouts is encouraged to call the Miami Gardens Police Department at 305-474-6473.
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