Tina McCraw said the last few months have been hard since her daughter Jamilla Millie Shanae Smith went missing Dec. 2.
McCraw said the recent arrest of a second individual has brought her closer to answers about what happened to her 30-year-old daughter and has given her some hope.
Bryan Alexander Hampton Jr., 35, of Augusta, turned himself in to police April 19 and was charged with accessory after the fact to murder. Hampton is the second person charged in the case.
“I was happy that he had turned himself in and was making some way in this case,” she said. “I had hoped that he would talk right away and tell us where my daughter was.”
McCraw and other members of her family feel like they are one step closer to getting answers after the recent arrest .
On Dec. 23, police charged Smith’s ex-boyfriend, 34-year-old Daniel Harmon, with murder in connection to her disappearance. Harmon has been in custody since Dec. 5 after he a standoff with police in the 400 block of Carpentersville Road.
Harmon also faces charges of kidnapping, second-degree domestic violence and drug charges.
Police said Harmon and Smith have a history of domestic violence issues.
According to an Aiken County Sheriff’s Office warrant, Hampton knew a murder had been committed by Harmon by assisting him between the dates of Dec. 2 and Dec. 4.
The warrant said Hampton provided transportation, purchased a cellphone and assisted Harmon in the disposal of the remains of Jamilla Smith.
The warrant said the incident took place in the 420 block of Old Jackson Highway.
McCraw said the news of Hampton’s arrest brings back memories from when her daughter was first reported missing.
“It kind of revisited the shock in the early stages and finding out what Daniel had done to my daughter, when she was reported missing,” McCraw said.
McCraw said she coped by reading Smith’s Bible and has relied on God, as well as her grandchildren.
“Having my grandson here has helped me to be strong for Millie,” she said.
McCraw said the sheriff’s office has been helpful in working with her in her daughter’s case.
Kimberly Kite, with The Broken Link Foundation, said she is pleased with the recent arrest. She said four months is like an eternity for a family when they have a missing loved one and the second arrest shows that the police have been working hard on the case.
“Along with his arrest comes a new hope and prayer that he will be the location of Jamilla,” Kite said.
Millie’s father Jame Smith said the arrest of Hampton feels like a breakthrough.
“It’s a good thing he turned himself in and they care about continuing with the case and moving on so we are joyful right now," he said.
Jame Smith said now they have to be patient as the case moves forward and wants to bring Miller home.
“So we can get closure and so we can be at ease,” he said.
Vanessa Williams said the case is starting to look up with a new arrest.
“It’s one step closer to closure with the family,” Williams said.
Capt. Eric Abdullah with the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office said police are continuing to look for Jamilla, regardless of the second arrest. He said he is encouraging people to contact the sheriff’s office with information no matter how small the detail.
“We believe somebody has some information that will lead to her whereabouts,” he said.
McCraw said she thinks other people besides Harmon and Hampton could be involved and wants people to help.
“We are asking anyone with any information to help us out,” she said. “We deserve to give her a proper burial and a memorial at this point.”
“There is always hope when someone cares,” Abdullah said.
McCraw said her daughter was an amazing person and a mother.
“She was amazing,” she said. “She was smart, funny, loving and she could light a room up wherever she was. Most of all she was an amazing mother.”
McCraw said there are plans to place flyers in the area so people will not forget about her.
While police continue to investigate the case McCraw said the family is keeping Smith's story alive by talking to the media and trying to get coverage outside the Augusta and Aiken County area.
“We are trying to keep her story out there and not let it go cold,” McCraw said.
