Grandmother of Missing Toddler Asks for Help

Jocelyn Jennings Nelson hasn't seen her grandson since Thanksgiving. Now, she's asking for the community's help in bringing home safely.

"He loves nursery rhymes. He'll repeat back to you. He's a very bright child," Jennings said about her grandson at a press conference Friday. 

"My family and I are requesting your support in finding his location and to bring him home." 

Nelson said her grandson answers to the names "Mir-mir" and "AJ." Investigators believe the toddler could be in the Columbia, Atlanta or Charlotte areas.

Nelson filed a missing persons report for her grandson and his mother, Zinah Jennings, on Dec. 8.

Columbia police found Zinah Jennings after she wrecked her car on Christmas Eve, but her son wasn't with her. Police say when they questioned her about her son, she gave "false and inconsistent information." 

Zinah Jennings is facing child cruelty charges and is being held at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center on a $150,000 bond. She has been uncooperative in the investigation, Columbia police say.

The Columbia Police Department is working with the FBI in Atlanta, Columbia Chief Randy Scott said. Investigators believe Zinah Jennings has ties in Atlanta , as well as Charlotte.

Scott said investigators are trying to put together a timeline of Zinah Jennings' whereabouts since Dec. 8. Anyone who has seen Zinah and Amir Jennings together in the past months should call Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC, Scott said.

Scott said he has not ruled out foul play, but is trying to stay positive.

"I'm fearful. I'm concerned," Scott said. "But I'm not willing to say until we have proof that something drastic has happened to Amir."