MILWAUKEE-- An AMBER Alert was issued Saturday for two young Milwaukee girls and their mother who have been missing for more than a week.
Police are asking the public to be on the lookout for 26-year-old Amarah Banks, and her two daughters, 5-year-old Zaniya Ivery and 4-year-old Cameria Banks.
Investigators believe Banks and her daughters were last seen near Sherman Boulevard & Green Tree Road about 1 a.m. on February 8. Her family said that her sister dropped her off at home.
"I feel like I'm in a dream world," said Amarah's mother, Valeria Spinner-Banks.
Spinner-Banks says that her daughter is a consistent person, making it unusual for her to do something like this.
"The word is out there. So if she's out there, she would have called. She would have called us and said; 'OK, I'm okay, guys. I don't think she would have left without telling us," Spinner-Banks said.
The three disappeared hours after the family grieved at a funeral for Amhara's infant child who died of natural causes, Spinner-Banks said . It's a pain Spinner-Banks understands, because she's also buried a daughter 26 years ago.
"I think the saddest part is that we haven't grieved enough for him, and now this," Spinner-Banks said. "And i might have to grieve again, and I'm like, this is ridiculous."
Police have a suspect in custody, who they identify as 25-year-old Arzel Ivery. Family says he's the father of Zaniya and Zel. Ivery was charged with aggravated battery on February 15, according to online court records.
"I worry about the girls. Have they been fed? are they cold? are they hungry? are their needs being met," Spinner-Banks said.
In the meantime, family is attempting to remain hopeful as they seek answers.
Zaniya is described as 2 ft. 5 in. tall, 50 pounds with brown eyes and black hair. Cameria is described as 2 ft. 5 in. tall, 50 pounds as well, with brown eyes and black hair. She was last seen wearing a blue coat with stars, a Lion King long sleeve shirt with brother's face and "RIP January 24, 2020" written on it, white pants and Nike Air Force One shoes.
Amarah Banks is described as 5 ft. tall, 130 pounds with brown eyes and black hair.
If you have any information on the incident, contact the Milwaukee Police Department at 414-935-7405 or click here to submit an anonymous tip to investigators.
