11 Year Old Janiya Thomas Missing Since August 2014 in Bradenton, FL (Update: Body Found in Freezer Believed to be Missing Girl)

11 year old Janiya Thomas has been missing for a year and has not been seen since August 2014 in Bradenton, Florida. The Bradenton Police Department was contacted by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office to assist in the search of Janiya Thomas. Janiya was not with her mother, Keishanna Thomas nor was she found at the mother’s house at the Village at Cortez Apartments in Bradenton.  Keishanna Thomas was taken in to custody on Contempt of Court charges by Manatee County Juvenile Judge Scott Brownell for refusing to answer any questions about the well-being of her daughter.

The Bradenton Police Department and Manatee County Sheriff’s Office are searching for a missing 11-year-old. According to BPD, the girl hasn’t been seen since August 2014.

On Friday, Oct. 16, the Bradenton Police Department was contacted by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office to assist in the search of Janiya Thomas, 11.

Janiya was not with her mother, Keishanna Thomas nor was she found at the mother’s house at the Village at Cortez Apartments in Bradenton.

Appearing before Manatee County Juvenile Judge Scott Brownell, Keishanna refused to answer any questions about the well-being of her daughter. She was taken into custody for Contempt of Court. Janiya’s siblings are with the Department of Children and Families, according to Bradenton Police.

Both the Bradenton Police Department and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office are concerned for the safety of the girl. Officers confirmed that the teen hasn’t been seen for over a year.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call Bradenton Police Detective James Curulla at (941) 747-3011 ext: 2224, or Detective Adrian Meridan at (941) 932-9326. You can also call Crime Stoppers at 1-866-634-8477 (TIPS.)

UPDATE I: Body in freezer believed to be missing 11-year-old girl.

The body of a girl who may be Janiya Thomas was found Sunday evening in a freezer in the garage of this residence in the 5000 block of 21st Way East in Bradenton, Florida.

Police believe they have found the body of a missing 11-year-old central Florida girl in a freezer.

Bradenton Police Chief Michael Radzilowski said during a news conference late Sunday that a body was found inside a freezer in the garage of a grandmother of the missing girl, Janiya Thomas.

Authorities said the body is likely that of Janiya, who hasn’t been seen in months.