UFC heavyweight fighter Walt Harris and his wife Angela appeared on “The Dr. Phil Show” Wednesday to discuss his 19-year-old stepdaughter Aniah Blanchard, who has been missing since a Oct. 23 visit to a convenience store in Auburn, Alabama.
A suspect, Ibraheem Yazeed, 29, is in custody in Lee County Ala., charged in connection with kidnapping. It has been revealed that Yazeed was out on $60,000 USD bond at the time of his arrest.
Convenience store footage showed Aniah, an Alabama college student, purchasing items. Her car was found with enough of her blood inside to indicate “harm” and “foul play” by the Alabama Dept. of Forensic Science.
God said when two or more gather in his name he is present… Tonight we gather with faith and hope for a safe return of our daughter and all missing children. Join us in prayer in person or in your own quiet time.… https://t.co/fc0BRUXDZI
— Walt Harris (@thebigticket205) November 4, 2019
The couple was visibly emotional, but measured as they discussed the situation with Dr. Phil.
“He stood in front of the judge and was read his charges,” Harris said. “It was just him trying to be pitiful to gain the plea from the judge. It was tough to sit in there as a father … That was one of the hardest moments of my life. To look at that man, you know, and contain myself, to be quite frank with you Dr. Phil, that was probably the hardest thing I’ve done. And I’ve been through a lot of things in my life, but that was tough.”
The family believes Aniah was set up by a mutual acquaintance.
UFC president Dana White previously announced a donation of $25,000 USD for information, kickstarted by Alabama governor Kay Ivey’s initial $5,000 reward.
A story by AL.com reports that Yazeed’s attorney Elijah Beaver, filed a motion for bail Thursday as Yazeed has received death threats in prison, forcing him to be placed in solitary confinement.
Anyone with information can contact Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (1-800-222-8477).
The case continues.
