Jamilla "Millie" Smith has been missing for nearly two months and her family is still searching for her.
“I am not going to stop until I find Millie,” her father, Jame Smith, said. "I want the community to please understand that I am not leaving here, and I will be here until I bring her home.”
Family members, friends and the community gathered Monday at the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office to demand answers in Smith’s case. The family said they want more information and closure. Most of all, they want to bring her home.
The family is also seeking a pro bono attorney to work on their behalf.
Smith was reported missing Dec. 2.
Her ex-boyfriend, 34-year-old Daniel Gabriel Harmon, was charged Dec. 23 with murder. Smith’s remains have not been found.
Harmon is also facing charges of domestic violence and several drug charges.
He has been in police custody since Dec. 5 following a standoff with police at a Carpentersville Road residence.
Harmon has a history of domestic violence in Richmond County.
Police reports and 911 calls document Jamilla Smith's cries for help during past instances of domestic violence.
Jame Smith said the only thing he has right now is anger and rage about the case. He said it has been hard because Millie was his first child.
“It’s heartbreaking and it’s tough,” he said.
“They didn’t send help for Millie,” he said.
Jame Smith asked where police were the night she disappeared when a 911 call seemed to capture Harmon hitting her with his car.
“Domestic violence, murder and missing persons cases are painful realities that affect too many families, and we are determined to shed light on these issues as a community, by coming together and supporting each other, we can make a difference,” said Smith’s aunt, Gina Heron.
In a written statement, Heron said the family is in distress with the issues of domestic violence and missing people in the county.
“The pain of losing a loved one to murder is unimaginable and the uncertainty surrounding the whereabouts of Millie only deepens our pain,” she said
Jame Smith hopes the community can help find his daughter.
“Someone needs to talk and say something,” he said.
Family friend Vanessa Williams said the family wants more information from investigators, but hasn’t gotten GPS coordinates or details on cellphones or forensics.
Williams said the officers who were supposed to protect her failed.
“If they would have gotten that man off the streets, then Millie would still be here today,” she said.
Capt. Eric Abdullah with the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office said police are still investigating the case and are looking for her.
The family said Smith is not going to be forgotten, and they are going to keep showing up and having press conferences until she is found.
Anyone who would like to assist the family can email justice4jamilla@gmail.com or by calling the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office at 803-642-1761. The family is offering a $10,000 reward.
“Your contribution no matter how small can be a beacon of hope during these dark times," Heron said. “Thank you for your time and standing with us as we strive to bring justice and resolution to these heart-wrenching circumstances in Aiken County.”
