Duval County

AMBER ALERT TIMELINE: Missing Jacksonville siblings Braxton and Bri’ya Williams found safe

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and members of the community are no longer searching for two missing siblings. Braxton and Bri’ya Williams were found safely Tuesday afternoon in a wooded area near the family’s home. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement issued the now cancelled Amber Alert for the two children on Sunday. Bri’ya Williams, 5, and her brother Braxton Williams, 6, were last seen Sunday morning playing in their front yard on West Beaver Street. The two were missing for 3 days before rescuers found them.

Sunday, 12/15/19, 11:30 a.m.: The children’s father said the two were playing in the front yard. The family said this was the last time both Bri’ya and Braxton were seen.

Sunday, 12/15/19, 1:30 p.m.: The family reports the children missing to police.

Sunday, 12/15/19, 4:30 p.m.: The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office tweets about a search for the missing children.

Sunday, 12/15/19, 5:15 p.m.: FDLE issues an AMBER Alert for the children.

Sunday night, 12/15/19: K-9 teams, drones and drive teams from JSO as well as other agencies search for the children, and continue searching through the night. Members of the community also join the search.

Monday morning, 12/16/19: Neighbors said JSO has been going in and out of homes and that officers have been looking over their security footage, searching for clues as to what happened to Braxton and Bri’ya.

Monday, 12/16/19, 12 p.m.: Family is cooperating with the investigation, Sheriff Mike Williams said. Right now, 150 investigators are working to find the children.

Police are searching nearby wooded areas and properties.

“Right now everything is an option. We are working multiple scenarios,” Williams said.

Sheriff said nothing has been found yet.

Police are working to pull surveillance video. If anyone living nearby has a working home surveillance camera, they are encouraged to reach out to police.

Monday night, 12/16/19: Action News Jax spoke to Lynn Jones who lives on the corner of West Beaver Street. He said JSO has been over checking his surveillance footage several times.

“Hopefully they come up with something and find them in good shape. That’s my main concern,” explains Jones. ​

The family is praying for their safe return.

Anyone who sees either child or knows where they could be should immediately call JSO at 904-630-0500 or 911.

Tuesday morning, 12/17/19: Braxton and Bri’ya are still missing nearly 48 hours after they were first reported missing, and JSO continues a massive search effort.

JSO said it appreciates the community’s support and desire to search for the children, but is not organizing formal community search efforts at this time.

Tuesday, 12/17/19, 11:30 a.m.: Police ask the community to look for an older, white 4-door car. An older white man may be the driver, JSO says.

SpongeBob SquarePants music was reportedly heard coming from this car, police say.

They do not know if there is a threat to the community at this time.

Tuesday afternoon, 12/17/19, 4:00 P.M. Action News Jax sources said the 2 siblings were found safe in a wooded area near the families home.

Tuesday afternoon, 12/17/19, 4:40 P.M. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has officially cancelled the AMBER Alert for missing siblings Braxton and Bri’ya Williams.

Action News Jax has team coverage on the two missing children being found on CBS47, FOX30



April Wilson

April Wilson

April Wilson is a digital content producer for Action News Jax.

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