Audio By Carbonatix
The mother of a 5-year-old Glendale girl who’s been missing for over a month reportedly has been arrested.
Jerice Hunter, the mother of Jhessye Shockley — who was last seen on October 11– was taken into custody this morning, family members have told various news outlets.
Glendale Sergeant Brent Coombs did not immediately respond when asked to confirm whether Hunter was in custody, nor would he confirm as much to other media outlets. Coombs would only say that police are currently at Hunter’s home.
Additionally, the Arizona Republic reports, police “crews in white gear were visible at the home.”
When news happens, Phoenix New Times is there —
Your support strengthens our coverage.
We’re aiming to raise $30,000 by December 31, so we can continue covering what matters most to you. If New Times matters to you, please take action and contribute today, so when news happens, our reporters can be there.
Shockley, police say, wandered away from siblings — who were caring for her at her family’s apartment at the time — a little before 5 p.m. on October 11. She hasn’t been seen since.
Since her disappearance, a few things have been revealed. For starters, her family is furious with the media and the Glendale Police Department for how they’ve handled the girl’s disappearance — Shockley’s grandmother even said she thinks the media has ignored the case because it involves “a little black girl.”
The most notable bombshell, however, is that Hunter, did prison time in California for child abuse. Since Shockley’s disappearance, Hunter’s other four children — one of whom was born about two weeks ago — have been placed in the custody of Child Protective Services for unknown reasons.
Hunter — in no uncertain terms — told New Times last month that she’s a good mother, and denied any involvement in her daughter’s disappearance.
Glendale police have scheduled a news conference for this afternoon to address the latest developments in the case. Check back for updates.
