Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode: HELP BRING MISSING CHILDREN HOME: Genesis Reid and Jacob Pritchett
Date: February 17, 2026
Host: Nancy Grace (with Dave Mack, Brian Fitzgibbons, and law enforcement contributions)

Overview of the Episode

In this episode, Nancy Grace investigates two heart-wrenching missing children cases: Genesis Reid, a three-year-old girl from Enterprise, Alabama, and Jacob Pritchett, an 11-year-old autistic boy from Brooklyn, New York. Both cases are marked by inconsistencies, possible neglect, and disquieting gaps in reporting that raise urgent questions about child welfare and community vigilance. Grace is joined by crime reporter Dave Mack and missing persons investigator Brian Fitzgibbons to analyze the facts, dissect the timelines, and appeal to the public for tips.

Case 1: Genesis Reid – Missing in Enterprise, Alabama

Background and Disappearance

• Genesis Reid: Almost three years old, last seen by her mother Adrienne Reed in their apartment.
• Mother claims she woke up at 3:00 AM to find Genesis gone and the front door open ([00:53]).
• Location: Meadowbrook Apartments, Enterprise, AL—a densely populated area, not isolated ([03:24]).

Neighbors’ Concerns and Timeline Inconsistencies

• Neighbors report not seeing Genesis for two weeks to over a month, with the last confirmed sighting possibly around Christmas ([04:42], [08:28]).
• Genesis routinely walked the complex with her mother, but that stopped suddenly near Christmas ([04:42], [08:28]).
  • Quote – Dave Mack:
    “All of a sudden, around Christmas time, it stopped. They haven’t seen Genesis and Adrian… walking around…” ([04:42])
• Mother’s stories about sleeping arrangements are conflicting; sometimes says she and Genesis slept together, sometimes that Genesis had her own bed ([06:11]).

Law Enforcement Response

• Local police, County sheriff, state investigators, and FBI involved in search ([11:11])
• No major public search organized, hinting at ongoing investigative angles, possibly relating to custody and family ([07:08]).
  • Quote – Brian Fitzgibbons:
    “Law enforcement is not currently requesting any major search effort or help from the public. What that indicates to me is that there’s an investigation going on.” ([07:08])
• FBI’s involvement might indicate crossing state lines or custody dispute ([07:47]).

Community and Family Dynamics

• Neighbors express relief and agony, concerned about the length of Genesis’s possible absence ([08:55], [09:04]).
• Speculation that Genesis could be with family/friends amid a custody battle, though this is unconfirmed ([07:25]).
• Failure to promptly report a missing child is itself a crime in some jurisdictions ([09:04]).

Notable Quote

• Nancy Grace:
  “I can’t tell you how devastating the blow will be if Genesis has been missing since Christmas. That’s according to her neighbors.” ([09:04])

[12:28] Case 2: Jacob Pritchett – The Missing Brooklyn Boy

Background and Disappearance

• Jacob Pritchett: 11 years old, autistic, non-verbal, lived in Brooklyn ([12:28]).
• Not seen since April 2nd last year; reported missing in October—NOT by the mother, but by social services ([12:28]).
• Mother (Jacqueline Pritchett) denies Jacob exists, despite having his name tattooed ([12:28]).

Investigation and Mother’s Behavior

• Mother claims “she was barren,” denies Jacob’s existence ([13:37]).
  • Nancy Grace:
    “How dare she. She’s got his name tattooed on her body. Fitz?” ([13:37])
• Mother has been jailed and released multiple times for refusing to disclose details ([15:23]).
• Mental health issues: Brian Fitzgibbons highlights severe mental illness as a complicating factor for the investigation ([14:27]).

Law Enforcement and Evidentiary Findings

• NYPD used cadaver dogs; hits on blood in the apartment and on a mattress found in the dumpster ([14:27], [15:42]).
• Search expanded to 3 million pounds of Rochester landfill trash ([14:27]).
  • Quote – Dave Mack:
    “Dogs hit on blood on the refrigerator and blood on a mattress that was found by the dumpster outside…” ([15:42])
• No school records: Jacob allegedly homeschooled, making his disappearance harder to flag ([16:23]).
  • Nancy Grace:
    “When a child is taken out of regular school… that’s one less barrier to a child being mistreated.” ([16:23])

System Failures and Societal Reflection

• Family and community failed to report his absence sooner; no safety net from teachers/mandatory reporters ([18:20]).
• Emphasis on the risk when children are unseen by outsiders ([16:23], [17:39]).
  • Brian Fitzgibbons:
    “When this child is not integrated with society… he has no method to report to a safe adult about the conditions that he’s living in or the treatment that he’s getting.” ([17:39])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Nancy Grace, on child neglect and justice:
  “There are thousands of people across the country that would take this boy and raise him in a loving home… why is it that anybody can have children, but you have to go through all sorts of licensure to drive a car… but anybody can have a child and then mistreat them.” ([13:37])

• Brian Fitzgibbons, on missing children investigations:
  “I’m going to guarantee you that answers are going to come here for Genesis. They’re going to be downloading all sorts of communications, location data for the mother to try to unwind the last time they were indeed together.” ([09:29])

• Dave Mack, on law enforcement evidence collection:
  “…brought out cadaver dogs and brought them to the apartment… dogs hit on blood on the refrigerator and blood on a mattress that was found by the dumpster outside.” ([15:42])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Genesis Reid case begins: [00:53]
• Neighbors’ timeline discrepancies: [04:42], [08:28]
• Law enforcement update (FBI/custody): [07:08], [07:47]
• Reporting as a crime: [09:04]
• Switch to Jacob Pritchett’s case: [12:28]
• Cadaver dog and evidence details: [14:27], [15:42]
• Discussion of homeschooling and reporting failures: [16:23], [17:39]

Calls to Action

• Genesis Reid:
  If you have information, contact Enterprise PD at 334-347-2222 ([02:19], [11:37])

• Jacob Pritchett:
  Call NYPD Crime Stoppers 800-577-TIPS (800-577-8477) or visit crimestoppers.nypdonline.org ([18:20])

Conclusion

Nancy Grace spotlights the urgency, heartbreak, and legal complexity in these two cases, pressing for public vigilance and better child protection systems. Both stories illustrate how isolation, custody issues, and weak reporting can fatally delay rescue. Listeners are urged to share any information and keep pressure on authorities as justice unfolds.