Tag Archives: missing

Wyoming police searching for endangered missing children

July 11, 20233-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Crime PreventionChildren, missing, police, WyomingJoanne

UPDATE: From Wyoming Department of Public Safety “We are grateful to report that Amir and Adonis Ezell have been located and are unharmed. Early this afternoon a family member of Mr. Ezell dropped the children off at their mother’s residence, and they are now safe. Mr. Ezell has not been located by officers at this time. This case will be reviewed by the Kent County Prosecutor’s Office for potential charges.”

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor

Suspect Jacobus Lamont Ezell, 25. (Courtesy, Wyoming Department of Public Safety.)

The Wyoming Department of Public Safety are searching for Jacobus Lamont Ezell who after a domestic dispute with his girlfriend took their two children, 18-month-old Amir Ezell and 4-year-old Adonis Ezell.

At approximately 5:23 a.m. on Tuesday, July 11, officers from the Wyoming Department of Public Safety responded to the 2600 block of Burlingame Avenue SW on a report of a domestic dispute. When officers arrived, they learned that after allegedly assaulting his former girlfriend, the suspect, Jacobus Lamont Ezel left with the two children. The suspect is the biological, non-custodial father of both children. Officers are concerned for the welfare of the children given the circumstances of this incident as well as the fact that the suspect is reported to have a mental disorder.

The suspect was last seen with the children in the 2600 block of Burlingame Avenue SW. It is believed that he left the area on foot with the children as well as a baby stroller.

The suspect has been identified as Jacobus Lamont Ezell a 25-year-old black male. He has black hair, brown eyes, is 6 feet tall, and weighs 180 pounds. His hair was described as being styled in “half-afro and half- twists.” He was last seen wearing black pants, white shoes, and no shirt.

Pictures courtesy of the Wyoming Department of Public Safety.

The children were identified as:

Amir Ezell, an 18-month-old black male, approximately two feet tall, weighing 30 pounds, andwearing a green onesie and red and white socks.
Adonis Ezell a four-year-old black male, approximately three feet tall, weighing 40 pounds, andwearing spider-man shoes and red and white socks.
The stroller was described as being a Graco brand, black and white in color.

Investigators from the Wyoming Department of Public Safety are giving this their full attention and are seeking the public’s help in locating the children. The children have been entered into the National Crime Information Center, an Endangered Missing Person Advisory has been submitted to the Michigan State Police, and a Child is Missing Alert has been activated.

Anyone with information about this incident or the whereabouts of Jacobus Ezell is asked to contact Wyoming Police at 616-530-7300 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345 or 1-866-774-2345.

Wyoming police continue to search for missing man

November 30, 20223-bottom, City of Wyoming, Hard Newsmissing, police, resident, WyomingJoanne

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org

This is the most recent picture of Raymond Tarasiewicz. The photo was provided by his family.

The Wyoming Department of Public Safety continues to search for missing Wyoming resident Raymond Tarasiewicz and are asking residents to continue sending tips and information.

Tarasiewicz, 69, was reported missing by his family on Nov. 21, 2022. He was last seen at his home around 7:30 a.m. Nov. 21, 2022. According to a Facebook post in Wyoming Michigan Informed, he was seen on his driveway on Steff Court. The closet cross streets are Burlingame Avenue and 44th Street.

He is described as a white male, 6-foot, 2 inches tall and about 225 pounds. He has white hair and a white beard. He wears black prescription glasses and may be wearing a blue jacket and blue jeans.

Tarasiewicz has early signs of dementia. According to the Wyoming police, he has been known to wander and go into garages or outbuildings in his neighborhood. Tarasiewicz is known to frequent the 36th Street/Burlingame Avenue area. He has medical issues and requires medication regularly. He does not have known access to money and did not take his cell phone with him.

If you have seen Raymond Tarasiewciz or have information, please call police at 616-530-7300 or Silent Observer at 1-866-774-2345.

Investigators from the Wyoming Department of Public Safety have followed up on all leads that have developed since the time Tarasiewicz was reported missing. Detectives have also followed up on all tips received from citizens as they continue to actively investigate this case. Numerous resources have been used to attempt to locate Tarasiewicz and he is listed as missing in both law enforcement and other databases.

Family members have indicated that if anyone sees Tarasiewicz to call out “Hey Ray!” to try to help snap him out of his daze and call 911 to get him the medical attention he needs.

Anyone who may have seen Tarasiewicz or has information on his location that may assist in locating him is asked to contact the Wyoming Department of Public Safety at 616-530-7300 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345 or 1-866-774-2345.

Tiger at John Ball Zoo doing better, Artemis still on the loose

January 7, 20223-bottom, Environment, Health, Recreationbetter, Blandford, bobcat, COVID, John Ball Zoo, missing, search continues, TigerJoanne

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Nika, the Amur tiger at John Ball Zoo, is reported doing much better after testing positive for COVID. (Supplied)

The John Ball Zoo had good news today in that its 16-year-old female Amur tiger, Nika, is doing well after testing positive for COVID-19.

“Nika continues to do well and has been symptom free since approximately five to seven days after her initial presentation,” said Dr. Ryan Colburn, John Ball Zoo’s veterinarian. “No other animals at John Ball Zoo have shown signs of or tested positive.”

In December, John Ball Zoo announced that the Amur tiger had COVID. It is believed that a pre-symptomatic, positive member of the animal care team exposure the tiger to COVID. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there have been worldwide reports of animals being infected with COVID by humans. At this time, it is believed that the risk of animals spreading COVID to humans is low.

People can spread COVID to companion animals such as dogs and cats. At zoos and sanctuaries, several types of big cats, otters, non-human primates, and hyenas have been reported being infected. Also white-tail deer in several U.S. States have been reported as being infected as well.

According to John Ball Zoo, Ryan and his teams have now successful administer vaccinations to many animals at the zoo who are considered high risk of COVID infection as well as continue to monitor Nika for viral shedding.

Still on the hunt

Blandford Nature Center continues to search for its missing Bobcat, Artemis.

Artemis, the female bobcat demonstrates her love for climbing at Blandford Nature Center. (Supplied)

Artemis escaped from the Department of Natural Resources’ approved enclosure on Dec. 31. Her brother, Apollo, had escaped earlier in December but was captured in a live trap by a neighbor and returned to Blandford on Dec. 20.

“We know our community’s been eager to hear good news about our missing bobcat, Artemis,” it states on the Blandford Nature Center Facebook page. “We want to thank everyone who has contracted us with sightings and leads on her location or reached out with kind words, we are so appreciative of the help we have received so far.

“We are sad to report there are no new developments at this time, but we remain hopeful that we will be able to find her and bring her home safely.

According to Blandford’s wildlife staff, Artemis has been on Blandford’s property in the past few days and has been spotted by Blandford trail cams. Blandford has received several reported sightings near or on its property which gives staff reason to believe she won’t be traveling far and are hoping to catch her in one of the many live traps that are being placed on Blandford’s property.

Blandford Nature Center got the sister and brother bobcats in the fall. The cubs were orphaned after their mother was killed by a car. Because they did not receive the survival training from their mother, it was determined by registered wildlife rehabiliators that the cubs would not be able to survive in the wild.

Apollo, the male bobcat, at Blandford Nature Center. (Supplied)

Blandford had an existing bobcat enclosure that was built for two but only housed its former bobcat, Bob, who died in 2020. The cubs were placed with Blandford.

Bobcats are solitary. Their prey is usually rabbits. rodents or similar in size small animals. According to Blandford, due to Artemis’s age and size, that of a large house cat, she is unlikely to be a threat to humans or most animals. The main concern is for her safety.

If a resident does spot Artemis, they should not approach her but should call the Grand Rapids Police Department’s non-emergency number, 616-456-3400. The GRPD will notify Blandford. The social media and phones at Blandford are not monitored 24/7 which is why residents should contact the Grand Rapids Police Department.

Apollo is currently being housed at the John Ball Zoo where he is doing fine. According to the Facebook announcement, Blandford’s bobcat enclosure is scheduled to have more reinforcements made next week.

Wyoming Police looking for four missing children

July 27, 20203-bottom, City of Wyomingmissing, WyomingJoanne

The four children were last seen July 26, 2020 near the area of Prairie Park, 2250 Prairie Parkway SW.

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

UPDATE: The children have been found and have been safely returned to their guardian.

The Wyoming Dept. of Public Safety is requesting assistance in locating four children who are missing and considered endangered.

On July 26, 2020, a non-custodial parent of the children, Shannette Merriweather, a 25-year-old female, walked away with the children from their legal guardian during a supervised visit. Shannette and the children were last seen in the area of Prairie Park (2250 Prairie Parkway SW) around 3 p.m. on July 26, 2020. The investigation into the whereabouts of the children indicates that Shannette is not capable of adequately providing for them.

Descriptions of missing children:

Alana Burger – black female, 7-years-old, last seen wearing a gray t-shirt and blue jean shorts

Amina Burger – black female, 6-years-old, last seen wearing an unknown colored t-shirt and blue jean shorts

Aaliyah Burger – black female, 5-years-old, last seen wearing an unknown colored t-shirt and blue jean shorts

Skyler Merriweather – black male, 2-years-old, last seen wearing a multi-colored button-down shirt and beige pants.

Shannette is described as a black female, 5 feet, 4 inches tall, 115 pounds and was last seen wearing a black and pink floral shirt with black pants. Shannette does not have a vehicle and her current address is unknown.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the four children and/or Shannette Merriweather is asked to immediately contact 9-1-1 or the Wyoming Dept. of Public Safety.