Search goes on for girl believed to be held in Richland County by mom, sheriff says
The Richland County Sheriff’s Department continues to search for a missing 10-year-old girl who was never returned to the custody of her father following a visit with her mother.
Amirah Watson was last seen Jan. 31 in Dillon County, when she was picked up by her mother Tynesha Brooks, the sheriff’s department said in a news release. Dillon County is about 100 miles east of Columbia.
The 41-year-old Brooks lives in Richland County, where investigators believe she is keeping Amirah, according to the release.
Amirah was supposed to be brought back to her father, who has primary custody of the girl, on Feb. 2, the sheriff’s department said. Neither mother nor daughter has been seen since the last day of January, according to the release.
Investigators spoke with Brooks on the phone Feb. 6, but she refused to tell them her location, the sheriff’s department said.
Brooks is facing charges of not returning a child within 72 hours per custody order, according to the release.
The sheriff’s department described Amirah as a 5-foot, 100-pound child with brown eyes, black hair, and braces on her teeth.
Brooks was described as a 5-1, 140-pound woman with brown eyes and black hair, according to the sheriff’s department.
Anyone with information on Amirah and her location is asked to call 911.
