TRANSCRIPT OF PRESS CONFERENCE
14TH FEBRUARY
CHIEF - We're here about Darnell Taylor, the 5 yr. old that's missing. We received a call through 911, around 3 am., this morning, regarding the circumstances surrounding him being missing. So, I'm going to call Deputy Chief Weir up and he's going to run through the timeline regarding these circumstances.
DEPUTY CHIEF - At approximately 3:03 am., a call came in to 911, from a male, who stated that his wife 48 yr. old, Pammy Maye, woke him up and made statements that made him believe that their foster child, 5 yr. old, Darnell Taylor, had been hurt or was in danger. The caller then stated that Mrs Maye left in a grey 2015 Jeep Cherokee, with Ohio registration - JIGGZII.
At 3:08 am., officers arrived on scene and searched the residence but did not locate Darnell. A report was taken and a search began immediately. The information regarding the vehicle, the missing child, was aired citywide for officers to be on the lookout for them. We also advised the Highway Patrol and the Franklin County Sheriff's Office at 3.18 am. A detective from our Special Investigations Bureau was notified immediately at 3:40 am. and began the process in the investigation.
Officers checked several addresses of family members and known friends of Mrs. Maye but did not locate the vehicle, Mrs. Maye or Darnell. Mrs. Maye was last seen wearing a green floral nightgown and pink shoes. The last information we have is that Darnell may be wearing Spiderman pyjamas and white boots.
(?) were advised, responded to the scene. At 4:20 am., the Highway Patrol was contacted and we provided information to them to initiate an Amber Alert. Shortly after 5 am., a statewide Amber Alert was issued. At approximately 5:50 am., this morning, we were notified by Brooklyn Ohio Police Department that they had located the Jeep Cherokee, unoccupied, in their jurisdiction.
Our personnel are still on scene at the residence and are searching for any videos in the area. We're also using K-9's to assist in the search of the area and we are working with federal and state partners to conduct the search and locate Pammy Maye and Darnell Taylor.
CHIEF - So, we're asking anyone that may have any information, that may have seen Darnell or Pammy to contact either 911, or if you have any information that might be helpful to the investigation, to call our tip line. That number is 614-645-2228. Anonymous tips can also be made to Central Ohio Crimestoppers, that number is 614-461 tips, which is 8477. Any information that you may have, no matter how minute or small you think it may be, that can help us locate Darnell Taylor or Pammy Maye, please call us, we're looking to try to bring this to a resolution. Again, we believe that this child is in danger, so we are asking for the public's help; if you have any information to contact us.
REPORTER - Specifically, what did the husband say that she said to indicate that she had hurt the child?
DEPUTY CHIEF - At this time, I don't believe it would be appropriate to say specifically what he said. The husband is cooperating, at this time, with our investigation and we are still kind of looking into those statements.
REPORTER - Have you been in this location in the past?
DEPUTY CHIEF - There has been a previous call for service but that appears unrelated and was several months ago.
REPORTER - Are they related to Darnell in any way? I know this is the foster parents but have you been in contact with his parents or biological parents?
DEPUTY CHIEF - We're in the process, we have identified... we've reveived information as to the identity of those parents and we are in the process of trying to make contact with them right now.
REPORTER - Can you tell us how long she's been fostering this child, how long the child's been in the home?
DEPUTY CHIEF - We believe May, 2023.
REPORTER - What makes you guys feel like she's dangerous?
DEPUTY CHIEF - I don't know if we said that she was dangerous. We believe that the child may be in danger.
REPORTER - In danger yes, why do you guys say that the child might be in danger?
DEPUTY CHIEF - I think because of some of the circumstances surrounding the disappearance, and I think at that point that's where we'll leave it at.
REPORTER - Do you know.. does she have any relation to anybody in the Cleveland area, anyone in Brooklyn or any information of why she went there?
DEPUTY CHIEF - We are still trying to figure that out. Obviously, if anybody in the public has any information about that, we would love a call.
REPORTER - Can you tell us where the search is and where the K9's are searching, and what gives you any indication that that's where you should be searching?
DEPUTY CHIEF - We are searching the area around the house and kind of expanding the search through the neighbourhood. But again, we're asking the public, anybody that has seen Pammy or Darnell in the past couple days that has known about their whereabouts or any activities that they've been a part of - we would appreciate some information.
REPORTER - Can you tell us the process of the Amber Alert? I know originally it went out with (?) information in it and we didn't know about the Jeep, the mother or Pammy or the boy.
CHIEF - So, what we can tell you is that we gathered the information that we needed to be able to process and ask for an Amber Alert. We gave that information over to the Ohio State Patrol. Any questions regarding that information you'd have to ask them, but we gave them the information.
REPORTER - I can see them bringing out bags from the home. Was there anything of concern that you saw in the home, or could you tell us what was being brought out?
CHIEF - Again, this is a very fluid investigation and it's very new. We're still processing everything and we're still learning and gathering information. We just thought it was really important to stand before you and ask for the public's assistance. If you've seen anything, if you've heard anything, if you saw that vehicle, if you think you may have seen them or have any information regarding their whereabouts, we're pleading, please give us a call. Our tip line is 614-645-2228 and we will be updating.
REPORTER - Do you think the child's alive?
CHIEF - We have no idea what we're dealing with right now, that's why we're asking for the public's assistance. Any information you can give us, we greatly appreciate it.
Thank you.
