Zaynah Lawson, 18: Teen With Aspergers Disappears From Kentucky

A worried family is hoping that the public will come forward with any information about Zaynah Lawson. The 18-year-old has been missing from Shively, Kentucky, a suburb of Louisville, since Thursday, July 1, and it was reported that she was seen near the 3400 block of Fern Lea Road at home, not far from Ralph Avenue. A Golden Alert was issued for Zaynah because she has Asperger syndrome.

“Last time I saw her I made her some tacos, and she took it into her room to eat,” says Gloria Smith, Zaynah’s mother. “I was expecting to find her either in the house or if she’s not in the house in the yard, but it’s rare that she would do that… She wasn’t anywhere.”

“Within the first few hours, there were at least four to five people out here, not including the cops, searching for her,” said Zaynah’s father, Armond Lawson. Gloria added, “Because of her personality type and everything, and her size, it would be easier for somebody to attempt and try to take advantage of her and so it’s not safe for her to be out.”

After searching the home and driving around the neighborhood in hopes of finding Zaynah, Gloria called the police on Friday to report her daughter missing. It is uncharacteristic for Zaynah to disappear, run away, or be around people she is unfamiliar with. Someone on Crums Lane, just a few blocks from Zaynah’s home, said they saw her on Saturday, July 3.

“They described her having a device and looking lost, like she was trying to find something, and she was like really nervous,” said Gloria. The dedicated mother had one message for her daughter: “I’m going to find you, period, wherever you are.”

Family, friends, and volunteers have occasionally taken to the city’s streets as they search specific areas in groups.

A spokesperson with the Shively Police Department reportedly said, “They are working with what information they have in order to attempt to locate her. All of our officers have been made aware that she is missing and of her disorder.”

At the time of her disappearance, Zaynah Lawson stood 5 feet 1 inch tall and weighed 100 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes. Zaynah was reportedly last seen wearing a blue headwrap, pink and blue Puma shoes, possibly wearing a black face mask, and carrying an iPad.

Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact the Shively Polie Department at (502) 448-6181, call 917-727-8433, email findingzaynah@gmail.com, or reach out to their local authorities.

Please share this story about Zaynah Lawson to help bring her home. She is our sister, and her life matters.

Sources
Courier-Journal
WLKY News
WDRB News