MILWAUKEE— Milwaukee police said Tuesday that any further searches for a missing 3-year-old boy will depend on whether they receive credible information from the public on his disappearance.
Authorities have conducted several searches in Milwaukee, Washington and Dodge counties for Major P. Harris, whose mother was shot to death and the man suspected in her slaying was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Major's father, Carlton Harris Jr., and other members of his family, held a press conference asking for the community's help on Wednesday. Carlton drove to Milwaukee from West Virginia to search for his son.
"Please, I pray to God, bring him home safe... That is my plea," he said, asking anyone with any information to come forward. He called Major his "joy and heart."
Carlton said he has not slept or eaten much since Major went missing. He is scared for his son, saying he feels not much information has surfaced as time quickly passes.
Milwaukee police held a press conference Tuesday to ask for help in the case. They said Major was last seen in Milwaukee on Oct. 9, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.
“Please come forward and have a conversation with us. Even if you think it’s insignificant, it could be that missing piece that we need,” inspector Paul Formolo said.
Major’s mother, 25-year-old Mallery Muenzenberger, of Onalaska, was found dead last Thursday in the backyard of a Milwaukee home. Authorities said 20-year-old Jaheem Clark, of Milwaukee, a person of interest in Muenzenberger’s death and a suspect in Major’s disappearance, killed himself Sunday after police arrived at his home.
Muenzenberger's family issued the following statement about her death, and her missing son:
On behalf of the family of Mallery Muenzenberger and Major Harris, we want to extend our many thanks to the Milwaukee community volunteers and the Milwaukee Police Department for all of your diligence in searching for Major. It has truly been a helpless feeling for all of us that have not been able to assist in the search for Major due to having to prepare for Mallery’s funeral. We are heartbroken as we prepare to say our final goodbyes to Mallery who was taken from us in such a violent fashion. Mallery was a beautiful kind soul who loved her little boy with all of her heart. She raised him as a single mother, working 2 jobs at times trying to provide for him. Her early aspirations were to become a nurse, and she would have made a very caring one! Mallery became involved in a life she never shared with our family. She was much too private. She was an honest person with too much trust we have found out. As we have been searching through her belonging’s we came across her high school senior project. How ironic that the topic she chose to present was Domestic Violence Awareness. Mallery faced her death in the hands of domestic violence in October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Mallery was raised in a family unit based on their strong faith. She attended bible studies, bible camps, weekly church services and daily prayer. Her son was her life – her joy – her purpose- her future. She loved her family. As we look through the pictures of her growing up, we continually see her contagious, sweet smile. You couldn’t help but be drawn to her lovable personality. She had a quiet, innocence about her. She never had to be the center of attention, more than likely she was the one smirking in the corner of the room with that devious look of hers. Mallery’s life will not be forgotten. We will never let her memory go. We will continue to search for her beautiful baby boy, Major and bring him home to Lacrosse, to the family that loves and cares for him. Major has been a part of Mallery’s family since his birth and his missing has left an incredible void in our lives. We will always approach the month of October with a new appreciation and awareness on her behalf. We ask that all of us keep the victims of domestic violence in your hearts, and say a prayer that their souls rest in peace. As we transition our focus of putting Mallery to rest, we will never rest until we locate Major. We are desperate for any information regarding his whereabouts. If you have any information please contact the Milwaukee Police Department, and bring Major home. #majorstrong
Formolo said Muenzenberger and Clark were “at least acquaintances,” but the extent of their relationship is unclear. Muenzenberger’s family and friends didn’t know much about Clark, he said.
Carlton said he does not know anything about their relationship, or why Muenzenberger and their son were in the area; he said he was not involved in her personal life.
"May she rest in peace. That's still my son's mother and I love her, but my main focus right now is finding our child," he said.
The discovery Monday of a vehicle described as one Clark might be driving did give investigators a few new leads, Formolo said. Police found blood in the SUV, which they have sent to the state Crime Lab, he said.
Danielle Harris, Major's cousin, said she feels as though they have hit a dead-end in the case and echoed Carlton's call for help. The family is continuing to search the area for the missing boy.