HELP BRING MISSING CHILDREN HOME: Genesis Reid and Jacob Pritchett

Summary

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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)

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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.

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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])

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[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])

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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])

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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]

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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])

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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.

Transcript

[A]

This is an I heart podcast, guaranteed.

[B]

Human crime stories with Nancy Grace. Breaking news, a three year old little girl, Genesis Reed, missing from Enterprise, Alabama. Enterprise, where is that? Enterprise is near. Hey, Cody. And it is near OP I'm trying to give you a good connection. It's along the panhandle, veering toward Florida. A three year old little girl missing. Genesis. Read. Not only that, Jacob Pritchett, an autistic boy, just 11 years old, is missing out of Brooklyn. His mom says he never existed. Really? Then why do you have his name tattooed on your body? WOMAN Good evening, I'm Nancy Grace, this is Crime Stories. I want to thank you for being with us. Straight out to Dave Mack, crime Stories investigative reporter. I want to start with the little three year old girl, Genesis Reed out of Enterprise, Alabama. First of all, where's Enterprise? Explain. I'm sure you'll do a better job than I did.

[C]

You mentioned the panhandle of Florida. If you're going from the beach, like Panama City beach to Montgomery, Alabama. It's at halfway point, very southern part of Alabama, northern Florida, in that general vicinity, Enterprise, Alabama. Not a big city. But you mentioned OP and other areas. It's called the wiregrass area. But Nancy, we have a three year old, okay, that mom says she woke up at 3 o' clock in the morning. Her toddler is gone and the front door is open. We've heard this before in other stories. I don't know what her mother, Adrian Reed expects us to believe, but she claims in a 911 call that she woke up, baby's missing. Now she said that she wasn't in her bed, but other reports are that Adrian slept with Genesis in the same bed. So we've got to get that squared away. But right now, Genesis Reed missing at three years old.

[D]

Enterprise, Alabama police desperately searching for Genesis Nova Reed turning three next month. The toddler reported missing Monday. When her mom wakes in the early morning hours to find Genesis bed empty and the front door open. Neighbors fear Genesis missing longer, having last seen her more than a month ago. Genesis, light skinned African American with black hair and brown eyes, 2ft 5 inches tall, 30 pounds, last seen wearing pink Minnie Mouse pajamas. Anyone with info, call Enterprise PD at 334-347-2222.

[B]

Now joining us in addition to Dave Mack from Crime Stories, a real expert in finding missing people is Brian Fitzgibbons. He is director operations, USPA Nationwide Security. He leads a team of investigators that go worldwide trying to find missing people. He is at uspasecurity.com Brian, thank you for being with us, Brian. I don't like it. It stinks. You know why it stinks? For many reasons. But first of all, neighbors state they have not seen Genesis Reed in two weeks.

[E]

Yeah, that's the most concerning piece here. And neighbors have also reported that they would consistently see the mother with Genesis. So prior to a month, you know, a month ago, they're seeing them all the time. And now that she's reported missing, we learn that they haven't seen her in over a month. One thing that did jump off the page here, this is, this isn't like a house that she walked out of. This is an apartment building where, you know, a complex where you've got a number of neighbors, not a huge wooded area near it. There's a lot of houses and residences all around Apache Drive. So it's very unlikely that this was a wandered off into the woods scenario.

[F]

The mother stated that when she woke up this morning at 3am that's when she noted the child was missing. We have not stopped since 3am this morning. During the morning hours, we completed a number of searches of the area in close proximity to the residents here.

[B]

That is Captain Billy Haglin joining us from Enterprise. And that's from our friends at Wiregrass Daily News. Back to the facts to Dave Mack. I understand that she was last seen wearing Minnie Mouse PJs.

[C]

That's the story that we're being given. But the reality, Nancy, is that Genesis had a regular routine with her mom. They would walk around the apartment complex. It was a regular thing, walking every day. Friends around there had other children playing with Genesis. And all of a sudden, around Christmas time, it stopped. They haven't seen Genesis and Adrian, her mother, walking around the apartment complex together. And when they were questioned, we're talking about people who live with them in the same apartment complex. Then I don't want to say anything bad, she's a friend of mine, but I haven't seen this child since Christmas. So reporting her missing now, we're talking six or eight weeks.

[B]

Nancy, you know, you're right. There are neighbors that state they have not seen Genesis since Christmas. Others put it at a few weeks, but I think I can understand the discrepancy there. Neighbors that associate with the mom and the baby, maybe next door neighbors or little playmate moms see her more often and would realize she's been missing for longer. So I noticed another discrepancy and I want to ask you about that. Dave Mack. Some reports state the mom noticed she was missing when she Went to go check in her bed, in Genesis bed. Other reports say they slept together. What do we know?

[C]

Well, we know exactly that. That we're getting two separate stories about where this child sleeps. And again, a three year old that normally sleeps with mom. And maybe that's the truth of the matter. We're getting both these stories from mom, Nancy. So which one do you want to believe? That she had her own bed she slept in or she regularly sleeps with mom? Because she's told both stories so far.

[B]

Apparently this little girl, Fitzgibbons is not even three years old. Old, much like Kelly Anthony, the daughter of tot mom Casey Anthony. Not quite three years old. What. What do you make of it?

[E]

Yeah, so. So I want to share something in. In a lot of our cases that we work with children under the age of five, okay. It's very likely going to have something to do with a custody issue.

[C]

Okay.

[E]

And something jumps out to me in this story that law enforcement is not currently requesting any major search effort or help from the public.

[C]

Okay.

[E]

So what that indicates to me is that there's an investigation going on.

[C]

Where.

[E]

Where was Genesis? Did she travel anywhere with her mother around Christmas time? Who were they with? And could she be staying there with a friend or a family member as a part of a greater custody battle? So you know that that's a point of hope for the public here and a point of hope for Genesis that that could be the case.

[B]

Well, let me ask you this. Along those same lines, Brian Fitzgibbons, what does it tell you that the FBI has been brought in in the search for Genesis? Maybe cross state lines for custody issues, Correct?

[E]

Yeah, cross state lines. And. And you have to understand the FBI can be called in to assist. They're going to have greater resources tracking cell phones and things like that. So, you know, the local law enforcement enterprise may as well just called them in.

[A]

And we've been up since 4 o' clock this morning, literally standing outside with the police. It's 4 o' clock this morning. Ain't nobody went to sleep. Ain't nobody. We all been standing out here waiting.

[D]

Neighbors say Genesis. Genesis is a familiar face seen walking with her mom on Apache Drive almost daily up until about a month ago when Adrien suddenly stops the practice. Vanessa Marana, whose daughter frequently plays with Genesis, says she hasn't seen the toddler since Christmas. Another neighbor says he runs into Adrian shopping alone on Valentine's Day. When he asks where her daughter is, Adrian replies, I don't know, and abruptly walks away.

[A]

I ain't seen the baby since Christmas. But that's my friend. So I would never, you know, go against what she say. My biggest concern is getting their baby home.

[B]

That from our friends at wdhn. Okay. I can't tell you how devastating the blow will be if Genesis has been missing since Christmas. That's according to her neighbors. So, Brian Fitzgibbons, we've lost a lot of time if that's true. And you know, in some jurisdictions, not reporting your child missing is in fact a crime.

[E]

Oh, certainly. Yeah. And you know, investigators, when you see state bureau of Investigation, FBI along with the local law enforcement involved here, 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.

[A]

The last time we have seen her about a month ago, she used to walk up and down the road with this child and everything. And now all of a sudden now.

[B]

The child is seen.

[F]

We're trying to get a timeline and would appreciate that information. We haven't necessarily stated that Genesis has been missing for 30 days, but that's what we're asking everybody is to provide that information.

[B]

That from our friends at Wiregrass Daily News and WDHN to you, Dave Mack, who is this mysterious Mariah?

[C]

That's a name that apparently was given by Adrian to law enforcement. Just a name. I remember you mentioned Top mom a few minutes ago. Remember how she said that she dropped off?

[B]

Please don't say Zenida Gonzalez. Is that what you're about to say?

[C]

Yeah, sadly I was, but now I've got Mariah. Yes.

[B]

Okay. Again, I believe the person you're referring to as Adrian by their first name would be Genesis mother Adrienne Reed. We're trying to learn more about this little missing girl. We know that it was in fact mom who called 911.

[D]

Genesis mom who neighbors identify as Adrian Reed calls 911 at 3am Monday morning explaining she woke to find her toddler missing from her bed and the front door to their home at Meadowbrook Apartments wide open. Enterprise police descend on the complex backed by Coffee county sheriffs, state investigators and local fire departments. Investigators search the immediate area for the little girl by 3pm and FBI agents join the search.

[B]

If you know or think you know anything about the disappearance of this little two year old girl, almost three, please dial Enterprise PD334-3472-2233-3434-7222. Crime stories with nancy grace. And now we go across the country to the Bronx in the search for an 11 year old autistic boy. His name, Jacob Pritchett. Jacob Pritchett. Straight out to Dave Mack. What can you tell me about Jacob's disappearance?

[C]

Jacob Pritchett is 11 years old, Nancy, and he is from Brooklyn. He is autistic and non verbal. He was reported missing in October not by his mother, but by social services. Family says that Jacob has never actually been enrolled in public school, that he has been homeschooled by his mother. The problem with that is Jacqueline Pritchett. Jacob Pritchett's mother claims she doesn't have a son. She doesn't have a son named Jacob. Even though she has a tattoo on her arm that says Jacob. She claims she doesn't have a son. Jacob Pritchett, 11 years old, last seen by an apartment manager April of a year ago. So we've got last sighting April 2nd. We've got missing report filed in October. And Jacob's mother, Jacqueline Pritchett has been locked up a couple of times at Rikers island for being pulled in front of a judge and saying, I don't have a son. They're looking for Jacob Pritchett.

[B]

Good gravy. There are thousands of people across the country that would take this boy and raise him in a loving home. Straight out to Brian fitzgibbons joining us. USPA nationwide security. Why is it, and I know we've asked this rhetorically many, many times, why is it that anybody can have children, but you have to go through all sorts of licensure to drive a car to, you know, buy a home, but anybody can have a child and then mistreat them. The mom says, quote, that she was barren. I don't even know who uses that word anymore. I think it's in the Old Testament, New Testament, I don't know. But that said, how dare she. She's got his name tattooed on her body. Fitz.

[E]

Yeah, and what we've learned about the mother, Nancy, is that she's suffering from some severe mental health issues since October. Nypd, when they found out about Jacob being missing, has, has actually done quite a bit here. They've, they've sent dogs into the apartment in Brooklyn, cadaver dogs that, that actually did hit and find the presence of blood. So that's very concerning. On top of that, NYPD has excavated over 3 million pounds of trash in Rochester, New York at a landfill that services that apartment complex. So no Jacob, no answers. All signs have to lead to this mother and for these questions to be answered.

[B]

I know she gets taken back and forth to Rikers because she won't tell anyone about the child. And just most recently, another judge there in Brooklyn sprang her from behind bars and dismissed the case. Is that True, Dave Mack?

[C]

100% true, Nancy. So Jacqueline Pritchett is back out on the loose again. But hey, one thing to point out about these searches. Early on in the investigation. We're talking October here. As investigators were getting into this very, very quickly, they brought out cadaver dogs and brought them to the apartment of Jacqueline Pritchett. That's where dogs hit on blood on the refrigerator and blood on a mattress that was found by the dumpster outside. It is that mattress, blood and dumpster that led law enforcement to searching nearly 3 million pounds of raw garbage at the dump in search of this child. Anything they can find.

[B]

The last confirmed sighting, Jacob, was April 2nd. A property manager saw him. And earlier in 2025, he waved from a window early 2025 with he waved to his aunt who was speaking to his mother outside. Now, we also know that according to nypd, Jacob never went to public school and was being homeschooled. Now, right there, it reminds me of the Turpin children. There was no record of them. They were being horribly abused in the home. And when a child is taken out of regular school and is being homeschooled, and I'm not knocking homeschooling, I'm saying that that's one less barrier to a child being mistreated because teachers and school employees are under a duty, a duty to report if they suspect mistreatment or abuse. So when you take that safety net out of the equation, you have more children being abused. What about it, Fitzgibbons? I mean, I would think that school teachers would notice he's not in school anymore.

[E]

Yeah. Hey, it certainly a defense, right, that, you know, when this child is not integrated with society in any way, no one's seeing him on a regular basis. 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. So that that's certainly one component to it. You know, I'd love to learn more about what activities was he involved in, if any was he allowed to leave the house? You know, we see reports that his aunt had to wave to him through the window while she spoke to the mother outside. So this is a very disturbing case.

[B]

It's also amazing to me that no one ever reported this activity to defects department family Children's services. She has his DOB tattooed on her body, yet she says he never existed. If you know or think you know anything about the case of missing boy Jacob Pritchett out of Brooklyn, please dial toll free crime stoppers, 800-577-tips tips 800-577-8477 or go online to crimestoppers.nypdonline.org please help us find baby Genesis and little boy Jacob Nancy Grace signing off. We wait as justice unfolds. Goodbye, friend.

[C]

Sat.