Mother Slain, Daughter Kidnapped: Wheeling Police

WHEELING, IL — A Wheeling woman is dead, and her 1-year-old daughter is missing, according to Wheeling police. Ja'nya Murphy, 21, an apparent homicide victim, was found dead Tuesday night at her 365 Inland Drive home during a well-being check. Her daughter, Jaclyn "Angel" Dobbs, who lived with Murphy, is missing in what police are calling a kidnapping.

Police received a missing person report at around 10:22 p.m. Tuesday after Murphy's family became concerned when she didn't report to work and had not been in contact with family members since Monday, according to the news release.

After initial attempts to contact Murphy failed, police, with the assistance of the Wheeling Fire Department, were able to access the balcony of Murphy’s apartment and found the door unlocked. An ensuing check for well-being revealed Murphy had apparently been murdered and Angel was missing.

Wheeling Police, along with the Northwest Suburban Major Crimes Assistance Team, are actively working to secure the safe return of Angel and to identify and apprehend those responsible, according to the news release. Authorities are seeking the public’s assistance in locating Angel.

Murphy was a 2018 graduate of Stevenson High School.

Anyone with information can call Wheeling police at (847) 459-2632.

This is a developing breaking news story. Check back with Patch for updates.