Scarlett Joy Blanco, 19, was last seen on May 7, 2021, leaving a residence on Schuyler Avenue in Kankakee, Illinois. She reportedly planned to travel about 14 miles to Momence, possibly to see her young son for Mother’s Day, but never arrived and all contact stopped. Family and friends describe the loss of contact as out of character.

At the time she disappeared Scarlett was described as 5 feet 4 inches tall, about 102 pounds, with brown, shoulder-length curly hair, brown eyes and light freckles. Distinguishing marks included a rose tattoo on her left front shoulder, the name DEANDRE tattooed above her right breast, a small sun tattoo on her right shoulder, a stud in her left nostril and two piercings in each ear. She had been experiencing housing instability and was often staying with friends or at local hotels, and frequented Kankakee, Bradley, Manteno, Momence and Hopkins Park.

The Kankakee Police Department logged her disappearance and asked the public for help after accounts differed on whether she would get a ride or take public transportation to Momence. No substantial leads have been reported and her family continues to seek answers.

If anyone has information about Scarlett’s movements around May 7, 2021, or recalls seeing her in the communities named, please come forward.