Family still looking for answers after SC teen, unborn child found dead: Here's what we know about Maylashia Hogg
The family of a pregnant 17-year-old girl is still waiting for answers more than three months after she was found dead in South Carolina.
Maylashia Hogg was found dead on Feb. 18 in Barnwell, about 78 miles southwest of Columbia. At the time of her death, Hogg was pregnant with a baby girl she planned to name London Charity, after her late mother.
The Barnwell Police Department was handling the investigation before turning it over to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, or SLED.
But Hogg’s family says they’ve received very few answers and she has no death certificate as of May 2024.
Ja'Nearia Rice, Hogg’s cousin, said she spoke to authorities Tuesday and while they have information, they aren’t revealing much.
Kimberly Kite, founder of the Broken Link Foundation which looks for missing people of color, said the cameras at the apartment complex where Hogg was last seen were not in service.
When asked about the family’s claims, SLED sent USA TODAY a statement saying the case is ongoing and active.
“SLED established a phone number dedicated to calls about information regarding the investigation,” the statement read.
The tip line was created just over a month after her remains were found, according to a press release from SLED.
Family believes there is a connection between teen and missing man; officials say 'no concrete evidence'
SLED would not say if there are any suspects in the case.
Loved ones said Hogg was last seen at her boyfriend’s home at the Colony West Apartments in Barnwell. According to Kite and Rice, Hogg’s boyfriend was ruled out as a suspect over a month ago.
Rice thinks Hogg’s case may be connected to Michael Still, a man who lived at that same apartment complex and went missing on Feb. 6, however, authorities say they have not found a link between the two.
"Though there is no concrete evidence that Still’s disappearance is related to Maylashia Hogg, we continue to work closely with Barnwell Police Dept. to share information and follow all leads," the sheriff’s office said in February.
Rice said most recently, police mentioned trying to get camera footage but they’re having software issues. Kite, founder of the Broken Link Foundation, said the cameras were not working near those apartments when Hogg and Still disappeared.
'She's not just another Black girl missing'
Rice said it’s upsetting that no one has been taken into custody for the death of her cousin, Hogg.
There hasn’t been a death certificate issued for her, and no cause of death has been released.
She said it’s more than Hogg that her family is missing. They are also mourning the loss of the baby girl they never got to meet.
“This following Mother’s Day would’ve been her first,” Rice said. “The family truly misses her and baby London so much. We would’ve enjoyed their presence.”
Kite said Hogg mattered.
“She was a human being with a little human being in her,” Kite said. “She's not just another Black girl missing. She was somebody and she meant a lot to a lot of people.”
Those with tips about Hogg’s case can call (803) 896-0281 or email [email protected].
Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Follow her on Twitter at@SaleenMartin or email her at[email protected].