LANSING, Mich. – The FBI is offering a $25,000 reward in the search for a missing 2-year-old Lansing girl whose disappearance sparked an Amber Alert nearly two days ago.
Wynter Cole Smith, 2, was reported missing around 11:30 p.m. Sunday, July 2, from the 3000 block of BeauJardin Drive in Lansing.
Wynter missing after mother attacked by ex-boyfriend
Rashad Malik Trice, 26, is accused of going to the Lansing home at 11:19 p.m. Sunday and attacking Wynter’s 22-year-old mother, who used to be his girlfriend. The mother was stabbed multiple times but managed to escape the house and call for help from a neighbor, according to Lansing police Chief Ellery Sosebee.
When officers arrived, Trice and Wynter were both gone, they said. Trice had stolen the mother’s white 2013 Chevrolet Impala. Wynter’s 1-year-old brother was still at the home, and he was unharmed.
Wynter’s mother was treated for her stab wounds and released from the hospital, according to authorities.
Trice arrested in St. Clair Shores after Amber Alert issued
An Amber Alert was issued for Wynter, and it included information about Trice and the Impala.
St. Clair Shores police said they saw the car around 4:45 a.m. Monday in the area of 9 Mile Road and Harper Avenue.
When an officer tried to stop the Impala, Trice sped off, according to authorities. He crashed into another St. Clair Shores patrol car in the area of Little Mack Avenue and 10 Mile Road, police said.
One officer from inside the car was treated for injuries and discharged.
Police said Trice actively resisted arrest while being taken into custody at the crash scene. He was brought to a nearby hospital for treatment of injuries from the crash, according to officials.
Wynter was not with Trice when police took him into custody.
Sosebee said Trice is awake and conscious. He is currently at a Detroit hospital under the supervision of Lansing police officers. Once he’s medically cleared, he’ll be brought back to Ingham County.
It’s currently unclear what specific charges he might face.
$25,000 reward offered by FBI
Police and FBI agents held a live news conference at 4 p.m. Tuesday to provide an update on the search. They said they are following up on several tips, but Wynter still has not been found.
Acting special agent in charge Devin Kowalski said the FBI is offering a $25,000 reward for information that leads authorities to Wynter.
She was last seen wearing a white T-shirt with rainbows on it. She is about 2 feet tall, weighs 25-30 pounds, and has brown eyes and shoulder-length braided hair.
Sosebee said police have a rough determination of the route Trice took in between the Lansing attack and his arrest in St. Clair Shores. Here are the maps released by authorities:
Anyone who saw the Impala at any time is asked to call authorities, especially if it was between the hours of 11:15 p.m. Sunday and 1 a.m. Monday.
Officials asked for the public’s help in this ongoing search. Anyone who is able to go out and look for Wynter, especially along Trice’s route, is asked to do so. Sosebee said anyone joining the search should be safe, specifically around highways, since they will be more crowded for the holiday.
Anyone with any information is asked to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or click here to submit an online tip.
