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Although African Americans make up just 13 percent of the U.S. population, we account for 33 percent of the missing in the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s database. Cases involving African Americans also tend to receive less media coverage than missing Whites, with missing men of color getting even less attention.

NewsOne has partnered with the Black and Missing Foundation to focus on the crisis of missing African Americans.

To be a part of the solution, NewsOne will profile a missing person weekly and provide tips about how to keep your loved ones safe and what to do if someone goes missing.


Antonio Little Missing

Antonio Little. Source: Family Photo

Antonio Little

Case Type: Endangered

DOB: Jan 01, 1991

Missing Date: May 25, 2015

Age Now: 24

Missing City: Rockford

Missing State: IL

Gender: Male

Race: Black

Complexion: Medium

Hair Color: Black

Hair Length: Short

Eye Color: Brown

Wear Glasses or Contacts: No

Location Last Seen: Little was last seen leaving his aunt’s home at 3:45 a.m. following a party at the house, located in the 1400 block of Campus Hill Boulevard.

Circumstances of Disappearance: According to Little’s family and friends, he may have left the party after arguing with his girlfriend.

“He may have been drinking a little bit and he may have had some talks of suicide so we are very concerned and would like to locate him,” Rockford Deputy Police Chief David Hopkins told station WREX.

Little’s cousin says she was asleep at his aunt’s house when she heard the front door open and close. She awakened to find Little gone. She texted him and then called him to find out if he was okay, she told the Rockford Register Star.

“He asked me if I was good. I said, ‘Yeah. Are you good?’ and he said, ‘Yeah. I’m good cous.’ And that was it. I asked him, ‘Where are you?’ But he wouldn’t answer that.’”

Another cousin told the paper that Little had sounded depressed when they spoke.

“I feel bad that I couldn’t say something different to snap him out of it,” he said.

Friends said Little had spent the day with his girlfriend and 1-year-old son.

Family and friends have joined in to search for Little.

“We are just going to search high and low, rain and shine, it doesn’t matter we are all going to be out here. We are all here for one purpose and that’s to find Antonio. We want to bring him home,” Little’s cousin Krystal Grady told WREX.

Little works as the program coordinator of the Rockford YMCA’s Black and Latino Achiever’s initiative. The YMCA has joined with Crime Stoppers to offer a $5,000 reward for information that leads to Little being returned home.

“We remain hopeful for Antonio’s safe return to his family and friends,” Mike Brown, CEO and president of the YMCA of Rock River Valley said in a statement. “We continue to pray, and aid local officials in search efforts. We urge anyone with information to come forward.”

For Little’s mom Valerie Owens, things have been difficult.

“You’re not sleeping. You’re not really eating. This is very serious,” Owens told the Rockford Register Star.

Last Seen Wearing: White shirt, tan pants, black and red Jordan sneakers.

Identifying Marks or Characteristics: Unknown.

Anyone with information regarding the circumstances of disappearance or whereabouts of Antonio Little may call the Rockford Police Department at (815) 987-5824 or contact the Black and Missing Foundation’s confidential Tip Line.

 SEE ALSO: Missing NYU Law Graduate Landon Thomas Found Safe Outside New York City

Where Is Antonio Little? Illinois Man Goes Missing After Leaving Aunt’s House  was originally published on newsone.com