JACKSON, Miss. — A new national partnership to help get the word out more quickly when a child is missing has reinvigorated the search for missing Madison County toddler Myra Lewis.
“It’s given us more of an opportunity to have some exposure for Myra. We are getting more activity; she’s had even more people to come to her (Facebook) page since this came out,” said Barbara who operates the Myra Lewis “Help Find Me” Facebook page.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) Tuesday announced that it will begin sending out Amber Alerts on Facebook’s news feed. The alerts will include a photo of the missing child and the location where an alleged abduction took place. “To explain to people and show them how the Amber Alert works on Facebook, we chose the Myra Lewis case,” explained Bob Hover director of Special Programs for the NCMEC.
One of only two children with an active Amber Alert posted on the NCMEC website, Hover said Myra has been missing the longest. And while her information will not be posted on Facebook as part of the new partnership he said “our hopes are that with using her picture (in the demonstration), we will get some leads and possible engagement to help find that child.”
Myra disappeared from her rural Madison County home March 1, 2014. It’s not hard to understand, with the vast amounts and today’s rapid flow of information, news of the now three-year-old has not been prevalent as it was following the early days of her disappearance. That changed Tuesday, as Myra’s picture and the Facebook Amber Alerts demonstrations were aired on all major TV networks and local stations across the country. “It was very exciting to wake up this morning and see Myra everywhere on Facebook and on TV as well,” said Barbara. She, too, hopes the exposure leads to Myra. “We are not giving up on finding her.”
The NCMEC was given permission to use Myra’s pictures in the nationwide Facebook Amber Alert demonstrations by the Mississippi Coordinator of Amber Alerts. But Barbara said Myra’s family was thrilled to have the extra exposure. “I spoke with Ericka (Lewis) this morning. She says she was woke up by her husband Gregg, telling her Myra’s picture was on Good Morning America.”
Barbara said the couple is very hopeful the exposure will help lead them to the child. “The main thing she (Ericka) would want at this time is for no one to forget about Myra,” said Barbara. “If you see a child that you think even resembles Myra, call the police, take a picture of her, send it in, text it, send it to her (facebook) page. Just keep your eyes open.”
If you have any information on Myra’s whereabouts call 911, a reward is still available for tips leading to her.
You can also stay in touch with NCMEC on social media: Facebook.com/AmbertAlert and @amberalert on twitter.
