Reports of Missing Adolescents, Young Teens More Noticeable in August

When two sisters in the Bronx were reported missing August 21st, their case was another, disturbing example of adolescents or young teens leaving home this month and not coming back.

Arianna Scott, 11, and Aaliyah Scott, 13, left their family's residence on Summit Avenue about 2 p.m. that Thursday.

In police-provided photos, detectives designated the older sister, Aaliyah, as "the first missing...a female with a medium complexion, slim build, approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall, 120 pounds with brown eyes and black hair." 11 year old Arianna was identified as "the second missing...a female with medium complexion, slim build, approximately 5 feet 2 inches tall" and 140 pounds.

Aaliyah Scott, 13, was reported missing twice this summer (left). Arianna Scott, 11, went missing with her older sister on August 21st.

Aaliyah Scott had gone missing the month before, in July, and was apparently located, before leaving home again--this time, with her younger sister. Whether or not they are considered runaways, it's important to note that children of this age who go missing are considered endangered.

It was a similar situation with Alya Harding, 12, of Matthews Avenue in the Bronx. She's been reported missing twice this month, after an initial disappearance August 6th, followed by another report two weeks later.

Alya Harding, 12, was reported missing two, different times in August 2025. She is 5 feet 1 inch and 100 pounds, last seen leaving Matthews Avenue in the Bronx.

During the month of August, I noticed a trend of very young people reported missing.

On August 1st, the NYPD issued an RMA (request for media attention) seeking information on the whereabouts of Jayce Jones, 11.

Just 4 feet 10 inches tall and 105 pounds, Jayce left her home on E. 56th Street in Brooklyn at 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 31st. She was wearing 'crocs' shoes, a white shirt and black shorts. She has black, curly hair.

Jayce Jones, 11, went missing from her Brooklyn home July 31. She is 4’10” and 105 pounds.

On July 31, the NYPD also put out an alert about Elijah Lykes, 13, who was living on West 126th Street in Manhattan but was last seen at 350 E. 137th Street on June 25th. Elijah is described as slim--110 pounds and 5 feet 1 inch tall.

Elijah Lykes, 13, was last seen June 25th at 350 E. 137 Street in Manhattan, according to a July 31 release from the NYPD.

The highest percentage of adolescents and young teens reported missing by the NYPD in August came from the Bronx. That number included Nyasia Joseph, 13, who reportedly left home on Friday, August 8th, at 6:20 p.m. She is 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 120 pounds. The handout photo depicted Nyasia with a bandaid on her right cheek.

Nyasia Joseph, 13, left home on Friday, August 8, on Woodycrest Avenue in the Bronx. She is 5 feet 2 inches and 120 pounds.

Many years ago, when I started working as a reporter in New York City, the police department would be reluctant to issue releases on a young person who had a history of running away. But the police--and child advocates--are well aware that adolescents are being lured more and more by the people they interact with on social media platforms, so almost every reported case gets a request for media attention.

Retired Detective Rosemarie Muckenthaler served with the NYPD/FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, and she talked to me about minors who communicate with strangers who become their 'friends' on platforms like SnapChat and Instagram--and then decide to meet them.

"Now, it's someone that they met over social media," Muckenthaler noted this week. "They think this person is interested in them."

In numerous cases, the young person is taken out to a restaurant as part of a grooming tactic that can lead to trafficking.

"Take her out. Spend $20," Muckenthaler observed of the trafficker's mentality. "And you're going to make $1,000 a day."

Most adolescents and young teens who go missing do turn up. But it's important to bear in mind that missing children this age often can't defend themselves easily, emotionally or physically.

If you have any information please contact NYPD Crime Stoppers - CALL 1-800-577-TIPS800-577-TIPS