Missing mom of 5 found alive, Jacksonville police say
A Jacksonville mother of five has been found alive after being reported missing for two days. Kayla Bailey, 34, was located Wednesday afternoon in a wooded area near Maxville, thanks to a coordinated effort by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) and the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD).
Authorities say more than 50 officers and firefighters took part in the search, with MEPSAR mapping used to chart the area where Bailey might be found. She was discovered lying down in a wooded area and appears to have been there on her own accord. The reason she left home remains under investigation. Officials stressed that Bailey’s husband, Joshua Bailey, whose arrest on unrelated charges was reported earlier, is not believed to be connected to his wife’s disappearance.
Earlier in the week, Kayla Bailey was last seen Monday at her Maxville Boulevard home. The family had reported concerns that she could be in danger, and the search was broad in scope as investigators worked to locate her. Bailey’s daughter told reporters that she had never seen her mother disappear like this for so long, raising fears for her safety.
Joshua Bailey, 40, was booked into the Duval County jail on Tuesday night on charges including violation of an injunction for protection against domestic violence and violation of probation/community control. Jail records show he is scheduled to make his first appearance in circuit court on Wednesday.
During briefings, officials were asked about whether Kayla Bailey had been Baker Acted. The Florida Baker Act allows involuntary commitment to a mental health facility for up to 72 hours in certain circumstances. Authorities did not confirm that she had been Baker Acted and noted she is currently receiving medical attention.
The search operation benefited from a coordinated multi-agency approach, including MEPSAR to map search zones and the combined efforts of JSO and JFRD. Anyone with information on Kayla Bailey’s whereabouts was urged to contact JSO at 904-630-0500. Updates from law enforcement will be released as more information becomes available. Kayla Bailey is now in medical care and is being evaluated as part of the ongoing investigation.
Additional note: The community’s involvement and the responders’ rapid, collaborative effort were instrumental in locating Kayla Bailey and ensuring her safety. The investigation into why she left and her current condition will continue, with authorities promising further updates.