Family fears woman missing after 2-year-old son found wandering in Detroit was taken

Family members believe Nicole Smith begged to save son's life

DETROIT – A Detroit woman is nowhere to be found just months after her son was found wandering the streets on the city's west side.

UPDATE: Case closed: Remains of missing Detroit mother found, guilty plea given

Smith's family fears she might be in a situation she can't escape, but they're not giving up on the search.

Isaiah Smith is about to turn 2 years old, and his aunt said he still asks for his mother.

Nicole Smith was last seen Dec. 11 when she and Isaiah were picked up from her mother's home on Detroit's west side.

The next night, Isaiah was found wandering the streets of Detroit and was taken to a police station. Nearly four months later, the family hasn't given up searching for his mother.

"Looking ourselves, making sure no one put her there," said Melanie Pride-Hunt, Smith's sister.

The family believes this could be a case of human trafficking. They believe foul play is definitely involved and that Smith begged to have her son let go.

"Or she begged him, 'Please, you can do anything you want to me. Please don't hurt my son,'" Pride-Hunt said. "That's how I feel about it."

Smith suffers from seizures, and her aunt said without her medication, Smith wouldn't survive. She believes whoever Smith was with panicked and dumped her body.

"My guy tells me my niece is gone," Dana Smith said. "Let her kids know. That's all we want: her home or her soul to rest."

Anyone with information on Smith's case is asked to contact Koda Group Inc. at 248-914-2861.


About the Authors:

Local 4 Defender Shawn Ley is an Emmy award-winning journalist who has been with Local 4 News for more than a decade.

Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.