ENDANGERED #MISSING: Ameera McFarland, 23 - Milwaukee, WISCONSIN (Emotional disorders - need medications)

As one Milwaukee family sat down to Thanksgiving dinner Thursday, they had one prayer: the return of their loved one.

Ameera McFarland, 23, has been missing since Oct. 31. The young woman whose childhood dreams of becoming an architect were lost to a battle with emotional disorders, has lived a transient life in recent years. But she has always checked in with family, until now.

"We are desperately searching for Ameera and are praying that someone in the community may have information about her whereabouts," Rhonda Taylor, McFarland's older sister, said in a statement issued by a public relations executive who had mentored McFarland as a child. "Our family is extremely worried. She has emotional disorders and off her medication. This is the longest she has ever been away from home without making contact with any of us."

McFarland is 23 years old, 5 feet 9 inches tall with brown eyes. She was last seen with short brown hair.

Family and friends have reported her missing to police, and have been pleading on social media for help. One acquaintance reported seeing Ameera in Chicago, where another older sister, Michelle Spears lives. Spears, who is her emergency contact, hadn't heard from her. But she planned to circulate her photo at businesses in the area to see if anyone recognized her.

McFarland is awaiting sentencing on a theft charge, but she was following a court-ordered mental health monitoring program, said Spears, who does not believe McFarland is trying to evade her court date.

"She's incompetent right now. And we're worried that she is delusional," said Spears

Her sister has been diagnosed with emotional disorders.

"I don't even know if she has a coat on," she said

Nepherterra Estrada of Charlotte, N.C., who owns the Milwaukee-based communications firm Mosaic, has been helping the family get the word out. She issued the statement Wednesday quoting the sisters.

Estrada had been Ameera's friend and mentor through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee, and a federally funded faith-based program for children of incarcerated parents.

In 2005, the two were featured in a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel story after being named Big Brothers Big Sisters "Match of the Year."

It was a story of hope and promise. The 14-year-old, whose mother had been in and out of prison, had lived in foster homes and with family members. She was kicked out of school. But with Estrada (then Nepherterra Skala) she seemed to be turning things around.

Her grades had soared as a freshman at North Division High School, and she set her sights on college.

Those hopes were short-lived.

Estrada, who moved to Charlotte in 2008, has stayed in touch with Ameera and her family. Ameera called her from time to time, she said, most recently from a Milwaukee psychiatric ward.

"Her life matters. She's still important," said Estrada, who sits on the board of the Mental Health Association of Central Carolinas.

"She was an amazing young lady, and she's been a blessing in my life," said Estrada. "We're just hoping we can get her back safe and sound."

Anyone with information to the known whereabouts of Ameera McFarland is asked to contact the Milwaukee Police Department at 414-933-4444.

 

SOURCE: http://www.jsonline.com/news/family-spends-holiday-worrying-about-missing-milwaukee-woman-b99398854z1-284101611.html
--------------------------------------------------------
LostNMissing Inc.
www.lostnmissing.com


LostNMissing Inc., is an all-volunteer national tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (the "code") and qualifies as a public supported organization under Sections, or Categories: P99 (Human Services - Multipurpose and Other N.E.C.); M99 (Other Public Safety, Disaster Preparedness, and Relief N.E.C.); I01 (Alliance/Advocacy Organizations). LostNMissing is organized and incorporated under the laws of the State of New Hampshire. We never charge a fee for our services.