Aliayah - Case History

Aliayah Lunsford Case History

Aliayah Lunsford disappeared from her home in the early morning hours of September 24.  Her mother made a 911 call around 11:30am to report her missing, stating she hadn't seen her since about 6:30 that morning.  Law enforcement immediately began searching the neighborhood, though several critical hours had passed since she was last reportedly seen by her family.

Her mother, Lena Lunsford, stated that she had checked on Aliayah around 6:30, as she had been sick.  Her other four children were asked to leave Aliayah alone to rest.  At around 9am, she went to check on her again and found no trace of her.  Mrs. Lunsford then drove around town for over two hours before calling law enforcement, even running out of gas and having to borrow some to get home.

Volunteers turned out from all over West Virginia to assist in the search, which was being coordinated by the FBI.  Early thoughts were that Aliayah had possibly simply wandered off while no one was watching.  The home was near the river, and much of the search was focused both in the water and along the banks.  No member of her immediate family was involved in the search effort.  Many have said that it was because Lena Lunsford was near the end of a twin pregnancy.

As the days drug on, Aliayah remained missing.  The Lunsford home was roped off as a crime scene, the other children were taken into the custody of the State of West Virginia, and law enforcement clammed up.  Lena Lunsford made ONE television appearance, stated that she wanted Aliayah home, and as of Day 51, that's the last we've seen of her in regards to her missing child.  Lena delivered her twins, and they were also removed into foster care.

On November 14, a new photo was released by the FBI.  In it, Aliayah is clearly bruised and battered.  The family claims that it's the result of her running into a door frame, but a second set of bruises on her left arm look suspiciously like fingerprints.  This photo is reported to be from sometime around September 20, 2011 - just four days before she was reported missing.