Columbia police are asking residents to keep an eye out for 17-year-old Maliyah Shyes, who was reported as a runaway late Tuesday night. She was last seen around 10:23 p.m. in the Bradshaw Drive area of Columbia and is described as about 5-foot-6 and 120 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Police say she was wearing a gray hoodie, blue pajama pants, and white tennis shoes when she was last seen, and they are urging anyone with information to contact investigators.
How to report tips
Anyone who thinks they may have seen Maliyah is asked to call Columbia Police dispatch at 931-388-2727 (press option 1) or contact Maury County Crime Stoppers at 931-381-4900, according to the Maury County Sheriff's Office and the Columbia Police Department. Columbia police also accept photo or video tips through the Safe Tips email system listed on the city’s website. If a sighting appears to be an emergency or someone seems to be in immediate danger, authorities say to call 911 right away.
Police description and request
In a Facebook update, Columbia police released Maliyah's name and physical description, stating that she is 17 years old, roughly 5'6" and about 120 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes, and that she was last seen wearing a gray hoodie, blue pajama pants, and white tennis shoes, according to the department’s post. The same message asked the public not to leave names or specific information in the comment thread and instead to share tips directly with law enforcement. The full notice is available on the department’s original Facebook post.
State resources and next steps
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's missing persons clearinghouse lists statewide resources and urges anyone with information to call 1-800-TBI-FIND or email [email protected], according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. For local, non-emergency tips, officials direct residents to use Columbia's dispatch line or the Safe Tips email system. If a situation seems urgent, they stress that 911 is the first call to make. Investigators also ask residents and business owners to review home surveillance systems, vehicle cameras, and nearby security footage for any possible sightings.
How neighbors can help
Neighbors who believe they may have seen Maliyah are encouraged to note the time, location, and any details they can safely observe, then contact police rather than approaching anyone themselves. Even small pieces of information, such as a vehicle description, a direction of travel, or a brief video clip, can help investigators and can be submitted anonymously through Maury County Crime Stoppers. Columbia police say they plan to update the public if there are any significant developments in the search.
