'Let him come home': Father begs for help in search for 3-year-old Major Harris
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The father of 3-year-old Major Harris is pleading with the community to help find his son, almost a week since the boy was last seen.
Wednesday marked another day without answers for Major's family. On Wednesday afternoon, Major's father, Carlton Harris, held a news conference to ask the community for help.
"I don’t really know how I’m supposed to feel," Carlton Harris said. "I pray to God. Just bring my son and let him come home. Let me come get my son please."
Harris said someone knows something, and he is pleading with them to come forward.
"I haven't slept. I haven't really been eating," he said. "I'm begging y'all, please. If y'all know anything about my son and his whereabouts, please contact me and contact my family."
Milwaukee police said Tuesday they are hopeful Major is still alive, but they're not scheduling any new searches.
Major's mother, Mallery Muenzenberger, was found dead Thursday, Oct. 14. The suspect, Jaheem Clark, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Sunday, Oct. 17.
"All that any of us want here is to bring Major home safely," said Danielle Harris, Carlton's cousin.
“Let him come home.”
— Rose Schmidt (@RoseSchmidtTV) October 20, 2021
Carlton Harris, father of 3-year-old Major Harris, holds a news conference. He’s begging the community to share any information about his son’s whereabouts. pic.twitter.com/SvTxOzvj99
Carlton Harris drove from his home in Martinsburg, West Virginia, to Milwaukee to join the desperate search for the little boy.
"My son was happy, energetic. It's my youngest child -- the love of my life. That was my joy," he said.
A search party briefly checked Washington Park on Wednesday afternoon before a social media tip led them to 35th and Arthur. Milwaukee police told CBS 58 they searched that area but did not find anything.
On Monday, police recovered the black SUV that was connected to the Amber Alert. The next day, they confirmed they found blood inside the vehicle. Harris told reporters he submitted a DNA sample to test against.
When reporters asked about Muenzenberger, Harris said he wasn't involved in her life so he doesn't know the events leading up to the last week.
"May she rest in peace. That's still my son's mother and I love her, but my main focus right now is finding our child," Harris said.
He criticized the Milwaukee Police Department, calling them "a joke" and saying they're not doing enough to find his son.
The department sent CBS 58 a statement saying in part: "The Milwaukee Police Department appreciates the family’s concerns. Since MPD was made aware that Major Harris was missing, the members of the Milwaukee Police Department have worked tirelessly trying to locate him and bring him home safe."
Milwaukee activist Tory Lowe on Wednesday urged the community to check areas such as garages, alleys and abandoned homes to help find Major.
Lowe said community members are currently helping house Major's relatives from out-of-state as they look for him. Lowe criticized the Milwaukee Office of Violence Prevention for not providing financial and emotional support. CBS 58 asked Office of Violence Prevention for a response but has not heard back.
Major is 3 feet tall, about 40 lbs., with brown eyes and shoulder-length black dreadlocks. Police say he was last seen wearing a dark blue T-shirt and navy blue Nike basketball shorts. He also has a speech impediment.
MPD is asking for anyone who had contact with Jaheem Clark to share any information, even if they think it's insignificant. Call the Milwaukee Police Department Sensitive Crimes Division at 414-935-7405 or send an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 414-224-TIPS.