For Jamilla Smith’s family, ‘it’s always going to be tough’
AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - The family of Jamilla Smith is still working to find answers about what happened to her when she disappeared back in December.
Aiken County investigators ruled her case a homicide, even though her body hasn’t been found.
Her ex-boyfriend, Daniel Harmon, is charged with her kidnapping and murder.
On Monday, her family held a news conference outside the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office headquarters to discuss the case.
Among the topics, they talked about the range of emotions they’ve been feeling.
“It’s tough,” said her father, Jamie Smith.”It’s always going to be tough. Every song, everything that comes along that reminds me of your daughter, it’s going to be with you day by day. So for me, I’m not going to stop until I find Millie.”
EARLIER COVERAGE:
- Jamilla Smith’s family fights grief amid death investigation
- Jamilla Smith’s last plea for help: What 911 operator heard
- What happened to Jamilla Smith? Here’s what we know
- Missing mom described as ‘beautiful light’ by family
- Jamilla’s close friends say they had an ‘unbreakable bond’
A family member says the past few months have been difficult for the family and Smith’s children.
“It’s been hard. It’s been hard for her two beautiful kids. It’s been hard for the grandmother. It’s been hard. It’s not easy. No child wants to feel like they have been abandoned by their mother. They know their mother and they love their mother. They know that their mother would never leave them unless it was by force or somebody else’s choice,” they said.
While the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office continues its investigation, the family says if you have any information, big or small, call law enforcement.
Her last known location was her home at 425 Old Jackson Highway in Aiken County on Dec. 2.
She had called 911, saying her ex-boyfriend had broken into her house and was chasing her down the road.
The dispatcher heard a car revving, Smith could be heard screaming, and the phone was dropped.
Then a male was heard telling her to get into the car so he could take her to the emergency room, according to the affidavit.
Smith continued to scream and could be heard yelling, “No, don’t touch me, don’t hurt me please,” and, “You hit me,” according to the affidavit.
The male is heard saying, “You jumped in front of the car,” before she is heard saying, “No, I didn’t.”
She continued to scream, “No,” and she indicated her arm was injured and said, “You ran over me,” according to the affidavit.
That’s the last time anyone heard from her.
The next day, her mother reported her missing, and deputies soon sent out an alert that both Smith and Harmon were missing and thought to be in a black Charger.
On Dec. 5, the Charger was found parked in front of a home on Carpenterville Road in North Augusta. Harmon was inside the home and was ultimately arrested.
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