Dallas City News

An AMBER Alert has been issued for a missing 12-year-old Waxahachie girl who officials say may have been seen near the University of North Texas campus on Thursday.

According to the Waxahachie Police Department, Tanya Jackson left her residence on Brenna Road in Waxahachie at approximately 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 14. Police said it is unknown what she was wearing at the time, but she goes by the nickname “Tay Tay.”

On Thursday, officials said they do not believe the girl was on the UNT campus, but was near the campus.

“Our task force is working along [with] the UNT Police Department to actively canvas the area. We are asking the public to call 911 immediately if she is seen,” police said in a statement Thursday.

Police added that the child was spotted wearing a black leotard, fuzzy slippers, and a wig with straight, black hair.

“She was reported missing on the morning of Valentine’s Day,” Lt. Joshua Oliver with Waxahachie PD said.

While her family reported Jackson ran away from home, an AMBER Alert was issued Thursday morning due to concerns for Jackson’s safety.

“Our investigators and members of Homeland Security Investigations of the North Texas Trafficking Task Force have been working diligently tracking down various leads from a cell phone that Tanya left behind,” Oliver said.

According to police, they have followed leads from cell phone calls, messages, and social media accounts from across the country.

“We have exhausted all possible leads. Our investigation has led us to believe that Tanya’s well-being is in serious risk,” Oliver said. “Our investigation has led us to believe that Tanya’s well-being is in serious risk. And because of that information, we proceeded to follow the Amber alert on her behalf.”

However, this is not the first time the child is at the center of an AMBER Alert.

“I can confirm that an AMBER Alert was issued on behalf of Tanya back in July of 2023, where she was eventually returned home to safety,” Oliver said.

Investigators with HSI North Texas Trafficking Task Force could not provide more details about the case due to Jackson’s age. However, they said there is no reason to believe anyone linked to her disappearance last summer is involved in the current investigation.

Still, they said Jackson is a high-risk case with her age being a major concern. John Perez is Supervisory Special Agent with HSI and supervisor of the North Texas Trafficking Task Force. He said, that as the hours pass, Jackson could begin to approach people for basic needs.

“Shelter, food, water just to survive each day,” he said. “So, the longer she’s out by herself the more vulnerable she becomes to someone coming in trying to assist her, but actually really being there to exploit her.”

Officials said their hope in finding Tanya and returning her home to her family lies in the fact that someone in the community may have seen her and will contact the Waxahachie Police Department or local law enforcement.

Police are asking anyone with information regarding Jackson’s whereabouts to call the Waxahachie Police Department at 469-309-4400.

Check back and refresh this page for the latest update. As developments unfold, elements of this story may change.

TEXAS STATEWIDE ALERT PROGRAMS

There are eight kinds of alerts that can be issued for missing or endangered people in Texas. They are listed below with links to a page with more information.