Search for local family goes nationwide

By Brittany Abeijon

Urbana police have joined with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in the nationwide search for a missing family who were last seen at the Greyhound Bus terminal, 45 E University Ave., Champaign on Apr. 3.

Cayoya Williams, Nathaniel Brooks and Catoya’s three children purchased tickets to California on thee morning of, but have not yet reached their destination or contacted acquaintances at their destination.

They were last heard from on Apr. 4 when they called from a borrowed cell phone in Denver, Colorado.

Police do not suspect any foul play.

Sheriff Duane Smith from the Urbana Police Dept. said that pairing with The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children will help reach a broader audience.

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“There are people from our two targeted cities, Denver and L.A., to help with the search,” Smith said.

Smith said as of Apr. 16, their have been no more details of the family’s location.

Catoya Williams is a 27-year-old black female, 5’2″ tall, weighing about 155 pounds and occasionally wears glasses. Nathaniel Brooks is a 45-year-old black male, 5’10” tall, weighing about 160 pounds.

Khalleel Hunt is a 9-year-old black male, 4’6″ tall, weighing about 70 pounds. Shaniya McKinney is a 6-year-old black female, 3’11” tall, weighing about 55 pounds. Mark Barber Jr. is a 4-year-old black male, he is the appropriate height and weight for his age. There are no clothing descriptions for the five subjects.

Urbana Police Investigators are requesting the public’s assistance with any information pertaining to this family. Call the Urbana Police Dept. at 384-2330, or CrimeStoppers at 333-TIPS.