Families of Ja’Niyah McMichael and Emma Baum say they are still searching for answers months after both young women disappeared
By Missing Lost And Trafficked / Lured Lost And Unsolved
GARY, Ind. — Two pregnant women disappeared from the same part of Gary within two months of each other in 2024, and their families say they are still waiting for answers. The two cases have drawn attention from advocacy groups and national commentators, who have raised questions about how quickly local law enforcement responded.
According to the information released so far, the women were last seen only a short distance apart. Their final known locations were roughly a four-minute drive from one another.
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Who Are the Missing Women?
Ja’Niyah McMichael was 13 years old and pregnant when she was last seen alive on August 11, 2024, in Gary, Indiana. Authorities have not released her exact time last seen, her physical description, or the clothing she wore at the time.
Emma Baum was 25 years old and nine months pregnant when she vanished on October 10, 2024. She was last seen in the 2500 block of Connecticut Street in Gary. Baum lived in Portage, Indiana, and had traveled to Gary to visit her boyfriend, Antwon Butler.
Family members have noted that Baum disappeared without taking her medication, money, or an activated phone. They say this made a voluntary absence unlikely, given how close she was to giving birth.
Authorities have not publicly released case numbers, official physical descriptions, or the exact times either woman was last seen. Those details remain unconfirmed.
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Timeline of Events
- August 11, 2024: Ja’Niyah McMichael, 13 and pregnant, is last seen alive in Gary, Indiana.
- October 10, 2024: Emma Baum, 25 and nine months pregnant, is last seen in the 2500 block of Connecticut Street in Gary while visiting her boyfriend.
- Weeks following each disappearance: Family members report growing concern and say they struggled to get updates.
- Ongoing: Advocacy groups and community members continue efforts to keep both cases in the public eye.
Family Statements
The families of both women say they have felt dismissed at times during the search. In Baum’s case, relatives report feeling overlooked during the early weeks, when they believe fresh leads mattered most.
Loved ones say a nine-month-pregnant woman leaving behind her medication, money, and phone points to something serious. They continue to ask the public for any information that could help.
Specific quotes attributed to family members have not been independently confirmed.
Questions About the Police Response
The Gary Police Department (GPD) is the agency handling both cases. Family members and independent advocates have raised concerns about how the investigations were carried out in their earliest stages.
According to family accounts and independent summaries, no widespread public alert, such as a Silver Alert, was issued in Baum’s case. Advocates argue that early alerts can help investigators gather fresh witness accounts and preserve digital evidence before it disappears.
These concerns reflect statements from families and advocacy groups. GPD has not publicly confirmed or responded to each specific claim, and its full account of the investigations has not been released.
Advocacy Groups Step In
As the cases drew limited early attention, several outside groups became involved. The organization Missing Lost And Trafficked has worked to spread information about both women. National crime commentators, including Nancy Grace, have also drawn attention to the cases.
Community volunteers say they have searched abandoned properties, followed up on tips, and pushed for wider media coverage.
Search Efforts and Investigation Status
Both cases remain active as far as the public record shows. Families and volunteers continue to organize their own searches while calling for stronger action from investigators.
Authorities have not announced any arrests, recovered either woman, or released updated findings tied to specific persons of interest.
How You Can Help
Investigators rely on tips from the public in cases like these. Even a small detail can help.
Anyone with information about Ja’Niyah McMichael or Emma Baum is urged to contact:
- Gary Police Department
- Crime Tip Hotline: 800-CRIME-GP
If you witness an emergency or believe someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
Two families are still waiting. Sharing verified information and reporting what you know may help bring both women home.