Photo Courtesy of Black and Missing Foundation/Instagram
A person of interest has been arrested in connection with the disappearance of 17-year-old Zion Foster from Eastpointe, Michigan.
FOX 2 Detroit reported that her cousin by marriage, Jaylin Brazier, was detained by the Eastpointe Police Department on Saturday. The 21-year-old man was charged with a felony. The news outlet revealed that Brazier has refused to cooperate with the police and has not disclosed Foster’s whereabouts.
On January 4, Foster left her Eastpointe home with the suspect. Local 4 Detroit reported that a private investigator specializing in human trafficking reached out to the news outlet with a possible lead from Chicago.
Brazier’s Acura was spotted this month without Foster throughout Metro Detroit. On January 10, his car was seen in Hazel Park and Waterford on January 13. Although Foster’s disappearance is unusual, the teen hanging out with Brazier is not.
Foster’s mother, Ciera Milton, told the FOX 2 News that the last known location she had for her daughter was at Seven Mile and Greenfield on the west side of Detroit. Milton tracked Foster’s geolocation through her cellphone. She also revealed that the 17-year-old texted her that she was coming home– but never did.
Milton previously revealed that she discovered inappropriate messages from Brazier to Foster.
“He was trying to talk to her and get with her and things like that. She’s underage. Then I find out that drugs and things like that are also included in this. So, I don’t know what their lifestyle is. I don’t know what they’re about.”
Brazier appeared in court on Monday for his arraignment at the 38th District Court in Eastpointe. Police have the vehicle locked up in evidence.
Anyone with information on the missing teen is asked to call 1-800-SPEAK-UP.