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Chief Rick Graham said this morning he does not suspect foul play in the disappearance of Markisha Jackson, who has been missing from her house in the 8000 block of Everest Drive since about 3:30 p.m. Friday.
Markisha's father, Jamar Jackson, told reporters that Markisha had been disciplined after arguing with her parents over something they didn't buy for her. She was sent to her room and about a half hour later they found her gone and a window screen pushed out. Graham said she took some of her clothes and a backpack when she left.
"We have no reason to believe that this is anything but a scared young girl who got in trouble with her mom and dad," Graham said at a 7 a.m., press conference. "We're going to work as long as it takes to bring her home safely. Please come home. We got a lot of people looking for you."
Graham said police have searched a five- to six-mile area with bloodhounds, helicopters and patrol units. Graham said he is satisfied with the resources police have and intend to bring in to continue the search.
As rainy weather moves in, Graham also made plea to the public to watch for Markisha and also asked her to come home if she was at a friend's house or somewhere else where she could hear his plea.
"You're not in trouble," Graham said.
An officer at the scene said the family is new to area and they are unsure how many friends Markisha has been able to make. Her father is in the Navy.
Police were called about 6 p.m. and a massive search began throughout the neighborhood. Police went door-to-door and also searched on the ground, as did some area residents.
Several patrol cars remain outside the family's home on a block roped off with police tape. A trio of patrol cars that arrived about 6 a.m. suddenly took off a short time later after officers put on their rain gear.
Markisha is 4-foot-6 to 4-foot-10 and may have been carrying a pink backpack. She was last seen wearing a red shirt with rhinestones, pink jacket and black skirt.
Earlier in the search, officers were helped by many neighbors armed with flashlights who helped scour the neighborhood into the early morning. Sheriff John Rutherford arrived at the scene at about 1:30 a.m. and praised the neighbors and said it is always frightening when a girl as young as Markisha is missing.
"We're doing everything we can," Rutherford said. "We're pulling out all the stops early in this investigation," he said.
Neighbor Alan Puls said he heard helicopters overhead about 11 p.m. When he went outside and learned that Markisha was missing, he went back in his house, gathered up several flashlights and gave them to neighbors to search for the young girl.
"I have five kids myself," he said. "This is the least I can do, be out here since she goes to school (Chimney Lakes Elementary School) with one of my kids."
At around midnight, the subdivision's streets were full with neighbors shining flashlights everywhere. As the night went along, the crowd thinned somewhat but even at 7 a.m., some people were still outside seeing if they could do anything to help.
At one point, three military chaplains arrived at the Everest home but left a short time after.
Temperatures during the night were in the low 50s, chilly but manageable in a sweater or light jacket. About 5 a.m., a light but steady rain began to fall in the area. Rain is forecast throughout the day with temperatures in the upper 60s, cooling to the low 60s or upper 50s in the evening.
Police said the girl might have a slight case of asthma but is healthy otherwise.
The Sheriff's Office is asking for anybody with information on the girl or her whereabouts to contact them at (904) 630-0500.
Read Jacksonville.com and Sunday's Times-Union for updates.
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