Ta'niyah Monique Leonard, an 11-month-old infant, was last seen in Bartow, Florida, on October 19, 2002. At the time of her disappearance, she was approximately 2'6" tall and weighed between 20 and 30 pounds. She is a Black female with black hair and brown eyes. Distinguishing features include pierced ears and a light-colored birthmark on her right leg. Her nickname is Ny Ny.
The circumstances surrounding Ta'niyah's disappearance are disputed by her mother, Miranda Jones, who was 17 at the time, and her mother's boyfriend, Michael Lewis. Jones stated that she left Ta'niyah with Lewis at his apartment in the Azalea Gardens complex on Golfview Avenue at 10:30 p.m. on October 19, 2002, while she went out with friends. Lewis, however, claimed that Jones picked up her daughter the following morning between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m. and he has not seen her since. On October 20, 2002, Jones reported a physical altercation with Lewis, which she said began when she questioned him about Ta'niyah's whereabouts.
Investigators suspect that Ta'niyah may have been a victim of homicide, potentially killed during an altercation between her mother and her mother's boyfriend. The case is also considered an endangered missing person case. Authorities have stated they believe either Jones or Lewis is responsible for the infant's disappearance and probable death, but conflicting stories and a lack of evidence have prevented charges from being filed. Prosecutors offered both individuals immunity if they returned Ta'niyah alive, but neither accepted the offer. A year after Ta'niyah vanished, Jones and Lewis had another child who was subsequently removed from their custody and adopted. The case remains unsolved.Last Seen: Oct 19, 2002
