Columbia Police Chief Randy Scott announces that a $10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the whereabouts and the return of missing toddler, Amir Jennings.

Chief Scott says, "This case has been weighing on the hearts and mind of Columbia Police Investigators for weeks now. There is still great concern for the child’s safety and well-being. We continue to ask the public across three states to assist us in finding Amir Jennings."

Family members last saw Amir Jennings, an 18-month-old boy (DOB: 6-8-2010) with his mother Zinah Demaris (pronounced "Zee-nah") Jennings (DOB: 4/22/1989) during the Thanksgiving holiday.

A warrant was issued for Ms. Jennings on December 29, 2011 by CPD. On the same day, Jennings was arrested and charged with Unlawful Conduct Towards a Child.

The charge stems from Ms. Jennings providing false and inconsistent information to CPD Investigators on Amir’s whereabouts. Ms. Jennings was booked at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.

Since the charge, CPD with the assistance of local, state and federal agencies executed search warrants regarding this investigation in Columbia, S.C. and near Atlanta, Georgia.

Evidence has been taken from different locations and is in the process of being tested at the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division’s (SLED) Forensic Services Laboratory.

Due to the on-going investigation, it would be inappropriate to comment specifically on what was discovered or seized during the execution of these search warrants.

Background and Timeline:

Earlier this month, family members became concerned about Jennings and Amir when they could not contact or locate Jennings or the child.

Relatives notified CPD, and a "Missing Persons" report was filed. The information was also entered in to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).

On Christmas Eve, Ms. Jennings was involved in a motor vehicle accident on Millwood Avenue and Lady Street while driving a burgundy Dodge Neon. The officer who responded realized that Ms. Jennings was considered as a "Missing Person" and notified the Investigator assigned to the case.

The responding officer also asked Ms. Jennings for information on the whereabouts of her son.

After repeatedly asking for her son’s location, Ms. Jennings allegedly gave false and inconsistent information to the Officer.

Chief Scott encourages citizens with information about Ms. Jennings or her son Amir, including if they saw the mother and child together at any time, to call, text or submit online, their anonymous tip to Crimestoppers in any of the following ways:

CALL toll-free, 888-CRIME-SC.

TEXT to CRIMES (274637), and mark the beginning of the message with "TIPSC," followed by the tip information.

LOG onto: www.midlandscrimestoppers.com, and click on the red "Submit a tip" tab.