Parents of missing 4-year-old believed to be dead confessed, warrants show

AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT/Gray News) – The parents of a missing 4-year-old at the center of a days-long search through South Carolina showed “extreme indifference to human life” in connection with the child’s death, contradicting the account given in a 911 call made by the girl’s mother last week, according to arrest warrants.

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Michilae Herring called Aiken County 911 just before 9 p.m. Tuesday, telling dispatchers her daughter, Javeayah Harris, had been playing outside and vanished. When dispatchers asked whether Javeayah had any health issues, Herring mentioned autism, though no formal diagnosis had been made.

“She’s very smart. She can carry a full conversation,” Herring said during the call.

In the 911 recording that was released Monday, Herring also told dispatchers she was 39 weeks pregnant and said she could not keep up with her daughter the way she normally would.

Abuse allegations

The arrest warrants state that both parents failed to seek medical attention for Javeayah after she suffered an injury from physical abuse at the hands of Herring.

The warrants identify the second suspect as Johmarea Harris, the girl’s father.

The arrest warrants say both parents confessed.

Both parents have been arrested and charged with homicide by child abuse. Both were denied bond.

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Herring faces an additional charge of filing a false police report.

After a massive search, authorities said Saturday they think the girl had been dead for a month before she was reported missing.

Search for girl’s body continues

On Monday, law enforcement agencies were back out searching in Fairfield County − apparently for the girl’s body.

The search is taking place not far from where the parents are originally from, about two hours north of Aiken, near Debutary Creek.

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office, along with several unmarked cars, were at the scene over the weekend. SCDNR had boats, a drone team and ATVs deployed.

Family members have also been seen searching the area.

Meanwhile, a newborn Herring gave birth to a few days ago has been placed in the custody of a family member, authorities said.

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You can read the arrest warrants for Herring and Harris below.

Javeayah Harris’ parents confessed, warrants show by steven.byerly

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