Mother of missing Alabama toddler hires lawyer, wants $1 million cash bond lowered
The desperate search for 2-year-old Genesis Nova Reid continues. It is important to stay up to date with the latest information from law enforcement.
See the daily timeline below of what has happened since Genesis was first reported missing. (See the bottom of the article for photos of Genesis and her mother, Adrienne Reid.)
DAY 1: Monday, February 16
On Monday, Adrienne Reid, the mother of Genesis, reported to Enterprise Police that she woke up around 3:00 a.m. and found her daughter’s bedroom empty, with the front door of their home at Meadowbrook Apartment on Apache Drive open. Genesis was reportedly wearing pink Minnie Mouse pajamas.
During the first few hours of the search and investigation, neighbors told Enterprise Police and WDHN that Genesis had not been seen on Apache Drive for around a month.
Missing Enterprise girl has not been seen for over a month
Neighbors reported that the mother-daughter duo had not been seen taking their usual walks together along Apache Drive for some time.
Another neighbor said that when he ran into Reid at the store on Valentine’s Day and asked where Genesis was, she said, “I don’t know” and walked away.
Reid was taken in for questioning, and a BOLO was sent out Monday afternoon, claiming Genesis could be in danger.
Police taped off an area of the woods directly across the street from Meadowbrook Apartments, and the search for Genesis continued into the evening.
Officials issued a plea asking anyone with information to contact the Enterprise Police Department.
Day 2: Tuesday, February 17
On Tuesday, a large group of law enforcement officers began organized searches in the woods surrounding Meadowbrook Apartments. This search was conducted by agents from the Enterprise Police Department, the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, the State Bureau of Investigation, CERT, and more.
THE LATEST: Search continues for missing Enterprise 2-year-old
After an extensive hours-long search, the teams reported finding no evidence.
Enterprise Police issued a plea, asking onlookers and citizens to stay away from the active search areas and not assist in searches at this time, as it could negatively impact the investigation and eventually hinder future prosecution.
Shortly after the searches began, it was revealed that Reid was detained at the Enterprise Police Department for questioning. Enterprise Police Chief Michael Moore said that investigators had determined Reid was lying about her daughter’s disappearance.
A few hours after Reid’s detainment, it was announced during a press conference that she had been arrested and charged with false reporting to law enforcement agencies, a Class C Felony.
Mother of missing Enterprise girl facing charges
It was also revealed that investigators had been in contact with Genesis’s father and other family members, and they are cooperating.
Chief Moore asked for help finding a woman named Moriah, whom police say Reid identified as a family friend. However, the chief says Reid gave little to no information on Moriah’s details or where she could be found, only saying she was known to frequent Levels Bar and Grille in Enterprise.
Moriah was named as a person of interest, not a suspect.
During the press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Chief Moore publicly addressed the spread of misinformation and online rumors for the first time.
The chief spoke about an orange-and-red-stained mattress in the woods directly across the street from the Meadowbrook Apartment complex, which had become a hot topic on social media after someone posted a video of them finding it Monday night.
Police dispel online rumor surrounding disappearance of Enterprise child, asks for posts spreading misinformation to stop
Enterprise Police say the mattress found in the woods was determined by law enforcement and the forensic teams to be not related to Genesis’s disappearance and is not evidence.
Chief Moore also addressed those directly spreading the rumors, saying the online posts can often be inaccurate and interfere with the delicate investigation.
Neighbors, family, and friends held a small, intimate vigil Tuesday night, placing stuffed animals along the wood line across the street from the apartment complex and balloons by the family’s front door.
DAY 3: Wednesday, February 18
Teams of cadaver dogs searched Meadowbrook Apartments and the surrounding woods throughout the day on Wednesday, hoping to find any evidence of Genesis.
Law enforcement began searching the sewers near the apartment complex, checking street drains and opening manholes.
UPDATE: No evidence found during day three of search for missing Enterprise 2-year-old
Enterprise Police Chief Michael Moore said that despite hours of searching the woods, nothing of “evidentiary value” was found.
Reid had her first appearance before Judge Joshua Wilson via Zoom call. During the call, Reid was issued a $1 million cash-only bond
Mother of missing 2-year-old facing million dollar bond
District Attorney James Tarbox said he requested that Reid face such a high bond because she is the only “known suspect” in the disappearance of her daughter and is a flight risk. The DA also claimed Reid destroyed or hid evidence.
Reid was given a court-appointed attorney.
Enterprise Mayor William E. Cooper asked citizens to stay out of the way of the investigation and not attempt to join in the organized searches.
DAY 4: Thursday, February 19
The search for Genesis expanded throughout the Enterprise area, with teams searching wooded areas around the city and the Coffee County landfill.
It was revealed that investigators have been analyzing electronic devices and surveillance footage for leads, but details were not given.
Enterprise Police Chief Michael Moore said that as of Thursday afternoon, there had been no new developments in the search for Genesis.
No new updates in search for missing 2-year-old, police issue new warning
Chief Moore and District Attorney James Tarbox issued a plea and warning to anyone with direct knowledge of Genises’s whereabouts or who has Genises.
The chief also said that the search and investigation have entered a “lengthy” phase, but searches in the area will not be scaled back, and investigators will work throughout the weekend and beyond. Daily press conferences regarding the case will end, and conferences will be held only if police have substantial updates to provide.
Chief Moore dispelled more rumors spread by social media users, focusing on the search for the mysterious Moriah.
Target of social media speculation cleared as suspect in search for missing girl
Rumors surfaced on social media, claiming Moriah is a neighbor who has often been seen at the Meadowbrook Apartments and around the Wiregrass wearing pink clothing. Posts began popping up, saying Moriah had been pulled over and surrounded in a parking lot by Enterprise Police.
The chief said that Moriah had still not been located and that the neighbor whom people claimed was Moriah is not the person the police have been searching for. Chief Moore says the neighbor has been cooperative and is only considered a witness.
Billboards aid in search for missing Enterprise toddler
Two digital billboards along Boll Weevil Circle began displaying photos of Genesis, hoping to attract passersby. The billboards are located at the intersections of Highway 167 and Boll Weevil Circle, and of Highway 84 and Boll Weevil Circle.
It was announced that a vigil would be held on Friday, February 20, at Bates Memorial Stadium on East Watts Avenue. The vigil is set to start at 7:00 p.m.
