Search continues for missing Gary woman, 2-year-old nephew

GARY, Ind. (WLS) -- The family of a missing Gary 2-year-old and his mentally disabled aunt are reaching out to the community to find them.

The family is desperate, but refuses to lose hope. Relatives have been searching on their own since the very first day that King Walker and Diamond Bynum went missing two weeks ago. They are now taking it a step further and calling on others to help.

"The focus (Saturday) is the last place they were actually sighted, it was confirmed that they were," said Eugene Bynum, the missing woman's father.

They passed out flyers and searched abandoned houses. Though police continue to search, the family is now getting help from others in the community - but they say they need more.

"There's a lot of abandoned houses," said Ariana Walker, the missing boy's mother. "I did 15 (Friday) and it's just all me. We really need help."

Bynum and the little boy were last seen July 25. It is not clear what led them to leave the house. Bynum is mentally disabled. Relatives say she has the emotional maturity of a 7-year-old and is not familiar with the neighborhood. She also requires daily medication.

"She stares off into space, might start screaming, might become dangerous to herself," Eugene Bynum said "It's critical that we locate them."

Initially investigators believed they were just lost. There were multiple sightings, but most of those turned out to be false leads, except for one. Several days ago police dogs picked up their scent at 23rd and Whitcomb in Gary. Family members and other volunteers centered their search there Saturday.

"My heart is broken," Walker said. "I'm just trying to stay positive and hopeful. We're going to find them."

Investigators said they remain optimistic that both Walker and Bynum are still alive. Their fear is that someone may be holding them against their will and that they may no longer be in Gary.

Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked call Gary police or dial 911.