As of 8:50 am, Sheriff's deputies remain in the area of Luana and Richards Street, Joliet Township, in the search for one and a half year old, Semaj ML Crosby, who was reported missing yesterday at 6:30pm by family members.  She was in the care and last seen by her mother in the front yard of her residence.  She was last seen wearing a gray long sleeve shirt with a cat face on the front.  She had dark blue jeans on and was barefoot.  Semaj had multiple pony tails in her hair with white beads.  

Last night, after an initial search of the residence an exterior search began.  With assistance from bloodhounds and over 80 emergency personnel from the Sheriff's Office and Will County Emergency Management, a grid search was conducted of the Preston Heights neighborhood.  A door to door search was also conducted.   A Cook County helicopter service provided an air search using infrared/heat capabilities.  All search met with negative results.  

As of this morning, a second team of bloodhounds has been called to the scene from Cook County.  Will County Emergency Management, Forest Preserve officers, and Sheriff's deputies remain in search of Semaj.  East Joliet Fire Department is coordinating with outside agencies for the water resource searches and for the use of drones to assist with grid searches.   Presently, a pond in the Sugar Creek Subdivision is being searched.  

Residents are being asked to stay away from this area while emergency responders continue their search.  Unless you live in the area, please avoid this area.   Residents are also being asked to search their own properties.

At this time, the Will County Sheriff's Office considers this to be a missing child case.   The family of Semaj Crosby is fully cooperating with Sheriff's detectives.   -end-