Smith’s family acknowledges she had been working as a prostitute in order to support her daughter, Ocean, who was 1-year-old at the time of her disappearance.
Smith’s mother, Kathryn Renesto, and her younger brother had painstakingly searched the area where she disappeared, looking for leads and evidence.
They were able to track down the last known video of Smith, seen with a group of people in a neighborhood that was well-known for sex work at all hours of the day,
NewsNation reports.
Authorities believe Smith is a victim of human trafficking. Her family said she would never voluntarily leave her daughter behind.
“Somebody here in the United States has information about Ruthey Smith and who she was last seen with,” said Moses Castillo, a retired Los Angeles police detective.
Castillo spoke at a press conference held March 2 at the San Pedro United Methodist Church while surrounded by Smith’s family.
“My daughter’s been missing for two years but I won’t stop and I’ll continue to say her name,” Renesto said tearfully. “We will never give up until we find you. I need somebody to say something. It’s the worst in the world, to not know if your child is dead or alive. If you see something, say something.”
She has a pierced nose and belly button. She has several tattoos with the names “Ezra” and “Lamarion” tattooed near her ears and the name “Ocean” tattooed on her chest along with a wave.
She was last seen wearing a light-colored jacket, black sandals and a black purse. She also goes by the names “Winter” or “Grayson,” her family said.
“She is a kind and loving soul,” said Ingrid Klungreseter, Smith’s grandmother. “We need the community’s help to bring her home safely. Trafficking is a horrific crime. If anyone knows anything, I’m begging you to do what’s morally right and speak up with any information you may have. People who are trafficked deserve for [information about their disappearance] to be national.”
Loved ones are desperately searching for a young mother who disappeared in 2022, leaving her infant daughter behind. Ruthey Smith, 21, was last seen on March 2, 2022, near Figueroa and 70th streets…
ktla.com
