Search ends for missing Midlands teen girl with medical condition, deputies say

The search for a missing Midlands girl with a medical condition ended when the teenager was found safe, according to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.

After being reported missing on Tuesday, Ja’Asia Chandler was located, the sheriff’s office said in a news release later that night.

Information on where Chandler was found, or if she was alone, was not made available.

The 14-year-old was called a runaway, according to the release.

She was last seen Monday night on Rogers Avenue, the sheriff’s office said. That’s in Sumter, about a mile from Lakewood High School.

Chandler has a medical condition and has not been taking her medication, according to the release.

Further information on her current condition was not available.

There was no word why Chandler left home.

The sheriff’s office is continuing to search for two other Sumter County teens it called runaways last week.

Aleyah Baker, 13, has not been heard from since leaving her Sumter home in Meadowbrook Road on May 1, the sheriff’s office said. She was reported missing by the sheriff’s office on May 7.

The sheriff’s office is also searching for 16-year-old Maya “Oliver” Bishop, who was last seen at home on Traditions Lane in Dalzell on May 4. Two days later Bishop was reported missing by the sheriff’s office.

Anyone who has seen Baker or Bishop, or has information about them, is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 803-436-2000, or CrimeStoppers at 888-CRIME-SC or submit an online tip.

This is a developing story, check back for updates.

This story was originally published May 11, 2021 at 12:01 PM.

Noah Feit

The State

803-771-8435

Noah Feit is a Real Time reporter with The State focused on breaking news, public safety and trending news. The award-winning journalist has worked for multiple newspapers since starting his career in 1999. Support my work with a digital subscription