An Amber Alert was issued for Raven Jeffries the first week of August, 2005. The shy seven year old was last seen on the front porch of her Southwest Detroit home. One of five siblings, Raven's family had lived in the diverse working class neighborhood over 18 years. She lived with her mother and two siblings while two adult siblings lived down the block.
Raven's brother last saw her on the front porch at eight in the evening and told her to stay there while he went down the block for a moment. Her mother had gone to the corner store to buy charcoal and lighter fluid for a barbecue and thought Raven had gone to the neighbor's house to play.
Instead, she had disappeared.
On August 7, a badly burned body of a little girl was found in a field owned by a radio station in Southfield by a worker doing routine maintenance. DNA identified the remains as Raven.
On August 11, search warrants were served in Taylor at Metro Storage. Technicians left with evidence, but it has not been disclosed what that evidence was.
Several registered sex offenders live in Raven's neighborhood and the police have questioned them and administered lie detector tests. Although many failed, police believe that has more to do with the drug traffic in the neighborhood rather than with Raven's kidnapping and murder.
After the initial flurry of media, this case hasn't rated a mention in months. I can find nothing indicating that anyone was arrested for Raven's kidnap or murder. I even emailed the Detroit Police Department to ask for any information they would be willing to share but received no reply (big surprise).
Light a candle for Raven so she is not forgotten and hope her killer is brought to justice.
I log onto your site from time to time and catch up from where I last left off. For this and other posts in memory of a soul removed way too soon and forgotten by most, and your efforts to keep them at the forefronts of our mind all I can say is THANK YOU!
Posted by: Alaina | March 10, 2007 at 08:40 PM
Thank YOU, Alaina.
This one is particularly painful for me since in the picture above, Raven looks very much like my little girl, Mia.
Posted by: Lisa | March 10, 2007 at 08:55 PM
EXCUSE ME for just one minute, but what in the world is going on here??? How could anyone look at that child's face and harm her.
This makes me so angry! I hope they find this SOB and cut every appendage from his/her body and VERY SLOWLY AT THAT!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Beth | March 12, 2007 at 06:43 AM
I remember that case! It made me thoroughly ill. That poor baby.
I didn't see anyone sending petitions to the legislature promoting "Raven's Law."
I'm with you, Beth! Setting a knife out to get rusty, even as I type!
Posted by: vero | March 13, 2007 at 03:02 AM
That whole case is SO sad. And the fact that somebody has gotten away with it so far, makes it all the more unbearable. Praying for Raven's family and those who knew her...
P.S. To me, she resembles Mia somewhat.
Posted by: Michelle | March 14, 2007 at 01:49 PM
I think about and pray for this little girl everyday. I too, am waiting for justice for sweet Raven. I believe there will be justice in this case.
Posted by: Kathy | March 20, 2007 at 02:13 PM
WOW, THIS POOR CHILD WAS FOUND 2 BLOCKS FROM MY MOTHER'S HOUSE IN THE SAME FIELD I USE TO PLAY IN. I DRIVE BY OFTEN, I EVEN LEFT A STUFFED TEDDY BEAR IN HER HONOR IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.. COME ON DETROIT AND ROMULUS POLICE LET'S SOLVE THIS CASE. THE ANIMAL THAT DID THIS IS STILL FREE AND POOR RAVEN IS NOT. MY PRAYERS TO THE FAMILY!!
Posted by: MICHELEHOLLIS | March 26, 2007 at 10:13 PM
Ask God to reveal the person who committed this crime and ask that he/she person(s) be brought to justice.
Posted by: fuchsia | April 28, 2007 at 10:19 PM
I hope you are right Fuchsia and Kathy. I didn't know raven but I know her siblings and her uncle. I pray all the time that justice will be served.
Posted by: Jillian | July 05, 2007 at 11:01 PM
I just read this again today an dI just wanted to note that the Detroit police won't say anything because the case is being handled by the Romulus cops where she was found. I have also heard that the person they suspect can't be found right now.
Posted by: Jillian | August 06, 2007 at 09:45 PM
Raven will be featured on America's Most Wanted this evening at 9pm EST on Fox.
There are also Billboards up around metro Detroit to find her killer. I hope they do soon. Her family needs this.
Posted by: Granny | September 08, 2007 at 02:21 PM