COLUMBIA (WACH) -- Thursday is Amir Jennings’ second birthday, but the little boy isn’t around to celebrate it.
The Columbia toddler hasn’t been seen since last Thanksgiving. His mother, Zinah Jennings, remains in jail. Police say she isn't cooperating with the investigation.
Zinah Jennings' attorney, Hemphill Pride, says his client has every right to remain silent and needs to be released because she's pregnant with another child.
For around seven months now, Columbia police have followed leads hoping to find the boy. In late January, officers from five agencies searched a wooded area off Monticello Road for the boy, but turned up nothing.
Amir’s grandmother, Jocelyn Jennings Nelson, continues to hold out hope her grandson will be found alive. She told the Associated Press recently she hoped his birthday would renew the effort to find him.
Columbia police spokesperson Jennifer Timmons say the department will not give up on Amir. She says the number of tips coming in is down and asks anyone with any information, no matter how big or small, to call CRIMESTOPPERS at 1-888-CRIME-SC.
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