Donna Calloway: Police Refused To List Her As A Missing Person
Ever since 39-year-old Donna Calloway went missing in June 2018 after last being seen leaving her home in Alabama, Kawonna Abner has been actively searching for her sister. Kawonna told reporters that she contacted police back in 2018 to let them know that no one had seen or heard from Donna, but she alleges that Montogomery, Alabama authorities wouldn’t allow her to file a report until August 2019. So, that became Donna’s official missing date listed in various agencies, but her loved ones know that just isn’t true.
Kawonna has always been the primary caregiver of Donna Calloway’s eight children, but Donna would regularly see her kids. She reportedly had a good relationship with all of them, so it’s uncharacteristic for her to vanish without a trace. The Montogomery Advertiser describes Donna as having an “intellectual disability” and reports that she’s “easily persuaded.” Donna has kept odd cleaning jobs and can cook and help with work around the home, but “if she were in a bad situation, she wouldn’t stick up for herself.”
Police Delayed The Investigation
During the holiday season in 2020, Donna’s children told their aunt that they didn’t want presents but instead asked Kawonna to use the money to continue the efforts to find their mother.
“I’d tell her that I hope she comes back and that I miss her,” Donna’s 11-year-old son Willie Calloway said. “I want my momma.” Kawonna claimed that police initially rejected the idea that Donna was a missing person because they assessed that she walked away from her life. They reportedly stated that because Donna has eight children, she was somehow overwhelmed and abandoned her family. Kawonna said that was the furthest from the truth. It took over a year for the Montgomery Police Department to agree to file a missing person report.
“My sister loves her children. I don’t care where she’s at, she’s going to call and talk to them,” said Kawonna. “She wouldn’t just leave her children.” Kawonna and Donna’s mother passed away in May 2020—another devastating blow to the close-knit family. “My sister is missing and she doesn’t even know my mom is dead,” Kawonna added. “If you don’t have family that cares, nothing is going to be done. If you don’t have an education, nothing is going to be done. If they think it’s going to take too much time or money —look what they did to my sister’s case.”
Kawonna believes her sister became a victim of human trafficking. Donna is one of six Black women currently listed as missing from Alabama.
Donna Calloway: What To Know
At the time of her disappearance, Donna Calloway stood 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighed 119 pounds. She had black/dark brown hair and brown eyes. What she was last seen wearing is unknown, but she does have at least two tattoos: her middle name, “Michelle,” on her left leg (unknown specific location), and her left thigh, a rose with the name “Annie.”
There is only one photo of Donna Calloway available to the public, listed above.
Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact the Montgomery Police Department at (334) 625-2810, 334-241-2651, or their local authorities. Her agency case number is 19-40629.
Please share this story about Donna Calloway to help reignite the investigation into her case. She is our sister, and her life matters.
