Search ends for missing teen last seen getting into SUV outside SC school
UPDATE: On Monday, the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office said that Yu’Niya Zhrori Cooks was located and is safe. Information about where and when Cooks was found was not available, and there was no word why she went missing.
Original Story
A search is underway for a missing South Carolina teenager.
Yu’Niya Zhrori Cooks was publicly reported missing by the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Wednesday night. The 16-year-old has not been seen for days, the sheriff’s office said in a news release.
Cooks was last seen Tuesday at 7:55 a.m., when got off the school bus at Lakewood High School and got into an SUV, according to the release. The high school is on Old Manning Road in Sumter.
The SUV was described as a black-colored Ford Edge, that was a 2017-2020 model, the sheriff’s office said.
Information about who was driving the SUV, or anyone else in the vehicle, was not available.
There was no word if Cooks was considered a runaway. The sheriff’s office did not say if foul play was suspected in Cooks’ disappearance.
The sheriff’s office described Cooks as a 5-foot-7, 198-pound female with blonde-colored braided hair, and brown eyes.
Anyone who has seen Cooks, or has information about her or her location, is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 803-436-2000, CrimeStoppers at 888-CRIME-SC or submit an online tip.
In the case of an emergency, always call 911.
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This story was originally published August 21, 2025 at 7:19 AM.
