A 2 year old girl was found deceased Saturday after she and her 7 year old brother were abandoned deep in the woods in central Mississippi.
Amy Harrison, the mother, has been arrested and charged with neglect. James Harrison Jr., the father, is still being sought by police as of today. He is also facing neglect charges. Scott County Mississippi, Sheriff Mike Lee told news reporters that he is consulting with the local district attorney’s office about adding additional charges.
Amy and James Harrison, both from Salisbury, were on their way to Greenville, Mississippi this past Thursday to visit friends. They were also going to view the grave of a family member who had passed away, Lee said.
While they were on Interstate 20, they began to argue about drugs, Lee said. While approaching exit 100, near the town of Lake, Mississippi, Amy was left at a gas station. She phoned her friends in nearby Greenville to come and pick her up. She made a report to law enforcement Friday to report that James Harrison Jr. and their children had gone missing.
Police initiated a search for the truck Friday and tried to ping James’ cellphone, but could not get a signal from the phone. Saturday, hunters in Scott County were getting ready to leave their campsite when the 7-year-old boy of the Harrison’s approached.
About 300 years from the camp, investigators found the missing truck, which they found to be stuck. In the same general area, police officers found the 2-year-old’s body.
Lee stated that he did not know whether the 2-year-old child walked away from the truck alone or if she was still with James. The 7-year-old child said he fell asleep in the truck and that the father and 2-year-old were not there when he woke back up.
The 2-year-old likely passed away from hypothermia, said Lee.
James Harrison Jr. was last seen with wet clothes on and missing shoes walking on the side of a road in Newton County, Mississippi, which is the borderline to Scott County.
Upon searching for the Harrison’s family truck, Scott County Sherriff’s Office said they had received a tip that Harrison declined assistance from a passing motorist while walking on the side of the road.
James left behind his diabetes medicine in the truck. He may also be suffering from hypothermia and has not turned on or activated his cellphone. Per Lee, investigators are still treating the case as if he is still alive and well.
The search team has used tracking dogs, drones, and helicopters. Lee stated search groups have also checked nearby buildings that could have been used to hide. Including barns and old sheds.
