Bianca Jones:Volunteers in Detroit join search for 2-year-old girl

Bianca Jones has been missing since last week after she disappeared from her father's car. The child was strapped into the child seat when the car was stolen. The child has not been seen since. The father was questioned by police and despite some people thinking he should be the prime suspect, a sketch of one of two carjackers have been released.


Now, Bianca's parents are speaking out and they are hoping that whoever has their daughter will return her safe and sound. According to KWTX, Bianca's mother Banika Jones "begged whoever has her daughter to drop the child off somewhere safe." Although some speculate that Bianca is dead, it is clear that her family has not given up hope that the child is still alive.


In addition, Bianca Jones's mother also addressed all volunteers who are taking the time to search for her daughter. "I just want to say thank you so much," Banika said to volunteers. "I appreciate you so much. There are so many people that have come out to be strong for us."


Bianca Jones' mother is not a primary suspect in her disappearance and her involvement in the search for the daughter could have something to do with that. Unlike Deborah Bradley, Lisa Irwin's mother, Banika is out there to say 'thank you' to those who are wanting her daughter home alive.


Despite steady rain and cold temperatures, Johnson said she signed up as soon as she heard police were seeking volunteers to search for the toddler. Bianca has been missing since Friday.


"Because I'm a mother, this story has touched my heart," said Johnson, 37, of Oak Park. "Ever since the story broke, I've been holding out hope, but the days continue to go by."


More than 75 volunteers arrived at Metropolitan United Methodist Church in Detroit throughout the day to assist police by going block by block, house by house and searching trash bins for anything that would assist police in their investigation.


Gordon Jones, who took a day off work as a contractor to join the effort, walked through a lot with overgrown weeds and debris and came out covered in burrs.


"I wanted to do whatever I could to search for this little girl," said Jones, 45, of Detroit, who is not related to Bianca. "People in the entire city should go out of the front door and check their own block until this child is found."


Tasha Harris walked with her four-prong cane down Philadelphia Street. She used her cane to rifle through debris found in a few lots with overgrown grass and brush.


"When I heard about this little girl, my heart went to my stomach," said Harris, 29, of Detroit, founder of the Detroit Housewives Foundation.


Bianca's mother, Banika Jones, greeted volunteers at the church before they were split into groups to search for her daughter.


"I just want to say thank you so much," Jones said. "I appreciate you so much. There are so many people that have come out to be strong for us."


The FBI searched the home of Bianca's father, D'Andre Lane, during the weekend, according to a Free Press source. The FBI would not comment on the investigation.


Detroit police investigators using two bloodhounds searched around the Jones home as well as the neighborhood around the house Monday afternoon.


A marked Detroit police SUV and three dark unmarked vehicles followed an officer and his dog east on side streets to the southbound Chrysler service drive along I-75, across the pedestrian walkway that crosses I-75 just south of Holbrook, stopping along northbound I-75 service drive.


Police Sgt. Eren Stephens said Monday there were no further updates in the investigation.


Police have not said whether Lane was a suspect in the girl's disappearance.


Lane, 32, told police he was driving his silver Mercury Grand Marquis with Bianca in the backseat when he was carjacked near East Grand Boulevard and Brush Street. He said the girl was taken with the car.


Police found the car 10 minutes later at Beaubien and Philadelphia, but Bianca was missing.


Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee Jr. issued a statement Sunday saying the credibility of Lane's account is "under intense scrutiny by our investigative team."


Godbee said Saturday that Lane was being held for warrants on an unrelated matter. Lane was released from police custody Monday. Police have not identified any suspects.


Wayne County Jail staff said Sunday that Lane was an inmate in 2003 after being convicted on charges of possession of a controlled substance and firearm possession by a felon. Oakland County Court records also show Lane had a personal protection order filed against him this year.