Knoxville, Tennessee – The Knoxville community is in a state of concern and unity as authorities continue the search for three missing children: 12-year-old Aki-Bakari Warren, 8-year-old Amena Hood, and 5-year-old Amirr Warren. The children were last seen on August 22, 2024, in Knoxville, Tennessee, in the company of their non-custodial father, 43-year-old Aki Warren. An Endangered Child Alert has been issued by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and the Knoxville Police Department (KPD) as the search intensifies.
The children’s disappearance follows a custody exchange that failed to occur, leading the custodial parent to report them missing. Despite numerous attempts to contact Aki Warren, authorities have been unable to reach him, raising concerns about the children’s safety. The situation has been categorized as a high-priority endangered child alert, as fears mount over their well-being.
Aki-Bakari, Amena, and Amirr were last seen with distinct descriptions. Aki-Bakari, the eldest, has a slender build, dark brown hair, and was wearing a black hoodie with white lettering and jeans. Amena has shoulder-length curly hair, dark brown eyes, and was last seen in a pink dress with white polka dots. Amirr, the youngest, was described as having a playful demeanor and was last seen wearing a blue T-shirt and gray shorts. The TBI has released photos of the children to aid in the search and has urged anyone with information to contact them at 1-800-TBI-FIND.
The Knoxville Police Department and the TBI have employed various investigative techniques, including tracking potential digital footprints and monitoring traffic cameras. The search is also being supported by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
Social media has played a significant role in raising awareness about the situation. Numerous community members have expressed their concern and support through Facebook posts. Shirley Nichols wrote, "Prayers," while Charity Mize, a Knoxville resident, shared, "I live in Knoxville. I’ll spread the word." Similarly, Pat Halley Carson added, "Praying for safe return," echoing the sentiments of many others in the community.
As the hours pass, the urgency of the search grows, with the community holding onto hope for the children’s safe return. Anyone with information that could assist in locating Aki-Bakari, Amena, or Amirr is encouraged to contact the authorities immediately. The Knoxville community remains united in their prayers and efforts to bring the children home safely.