In the small community of Owens Cross Roads, Alabama, a family's life was turned upside down when 12-year-old Myia Mathews was reported missing. Myia, a young girl described as being 5-foot-2 and weighing around 100 pounds, was last seen on Thursday, November 5, 2026. She has been known to have red-dyed hair, which might have been changed to purple or be covered by a purple bonnet. Myia was one of several children who disappeared from the Pathway of Madison, a local in-patient behavioral treatment facility. The circumstances surrounding her departure from the facility have raised concerns, as it was part of a recurring issue of children leaving the center without permission.
The days following Myia's disappearance were filled with anguish and a desperate search for answers for her family.
They were not immediately notified by the facility that she was missing; instead, they learned of her absence on the following Sunday night when Myia made a brief and concerning phone call to her father. After this call, the family began their own search efforts, scouring the Huntsville metro area, putting up posters, and visiting locations where she might have been seen. One of the last known sightings of Myia was at a convenience store on U.S. 72, captured by a security camera. Her family expressed their deep love for her and their desire for her safe return, emphasizing that their primary focus was to bring her home.
The case of Myia Mathews' disappearance has brought to light ongoing issues with the Pathway of Madison facility, from which numerous escapes had been reported in the months leading up to her leaving. These repeated incidents had already led to legal action by the City of Owens Cross Roads against the facility, citing it as a public nuisance. The lack of an official alert, such as an Amber Alert, in the initial days of Myia and the other children's disappearance also drew criticism and left community members largely unaware of the situation. The family's independent search efforts highlighted their frustration with the official response and their determination to find Myia. This case is not just about a missing child, but also about the broader concerns for the safety and well-being of vulnerable children in residential care facilities. The search for Myia Mathews continues to be an active and deeply concerning matter for her family and the community.Last Seen: Nov 5, 2026
