Crime Stories with Nancy Grace
Episode: SAVANNAH GUTHRIE MOM MISSING: DAY 17
Date: February 17, 2026
Overview
In this episode, Nancy Grace investigates two unsettling cases involving missing children: three-year-old Genesis Reed from Enterprise, Alabama, and eleven-year-old Jacob Pritchett from Brooklyn, New York. Through expert guests and on-the-ground reporting, Nancy and her panel unravel inconsistencies, explore the complexities of each case, and appeal for public assistance.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Disappearance of Genesis Reed (Enterprise, Alabama)
Segment start: [02:51]
Recap of Facts
- Genesis Nova Reed, almost 3 years old, reported missing from Meadowbrook Apartments.
- Mother, Adrian Reed, claims she woke up at 3 AM, found Genesis gone and front door open ([05:05] Nancy Grace).
- Last seen wearing pink Minnie Mouse pajamas ([07:13]).
- Neighbors dispute official timeline: Many haven’t seen Genesis since Christmas, weeks before the mother’s report ([06:10], [11:12]).
- Apartment complex setting makes it unlikely Genesis simply wandered off ([06:10], [06:55]).
Timeline Confusion
- Neighbors frequently saw Genesis with her mother daily until about a month prior to the report ([07:28] Dave Mack).
- Contradiction in mother’s story—did Genesis sleep in her own bed or with Adrian? ([08:57] Dave Mack).
“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.”
—Dave Mack [08:57]
Custody & Investigative Theories
- Expert (Crime Analyst): For very young children, custody disputes are common in missing-child cases ([09:42]).
- Notably, law enforcement did not issue a broad search call to the public, suggesting belief Genesis could be with a known person, potentially related to custody ([09:54]).
- FBI involvement could indicate possible travel across state lines ([10:34]).
“...The FBI can be called in to assist. They’re going to have greater resources tracking cell phones and things like that.”
—Crime Analyst [10:45]
Mother’s Status & Doubts About Official Report
- Adrian Reed, the mother, has been charged with filing a false report and is held without bond ([17:40] Dave Mack).
- Despite her arrest, the search for Genesis continues, with authorities urging the public for any information ([17:40]).
“...Enterprise police Chief Michael Moore says the search for two year old Genesis Reed continues in earnest and he’s asking the public for more information...Adrian Reed...in jail without bond.”
—Dave Mack [17:40]
2. The Disappearance of Jacob Pritchett (Brooklyn, New York)
Segment start: [18:23]
Recap of Facts
- Jacob Pritchett, 11, autistic and non-verbal.
- Reported missing by social services in October, not by his mother ([18:46] Dave Mack).
- Mother, Jacqueline Pritchett, claims Jacob never existed, despite his name being tattooed on her arm ([18:46]).
- Last confirmed sighting: Property manager saw Jacob April 2nd. Aunt saw him waving from a window early 2025 ([22:41] Brian Fitzgibbons).
“She claims she doesn’t have a son named Jacob even though she has a tattoo on her arm that says Jacob.”
—Dave Mack [18:46]
Law Enforcement Response & Investigation
- NYPD sent cadaver dogs which indicated blood was found in the apartment and on a mattress found by a dumpster ([20:45] Crime Analyst, [22:00] Dave Mack).
- Police excavated over 3 million pounds of trash at a landfill that serves the apartment complex—no trace of Jacob ([20:45] Crime Analyst).
- Mother was brought to Rikers and released multiple times, refusing to provide information ([21:41] Brian Fitzgibbons, [22:00] Dave Mack).
Concerns about Isolation & Homeschooling
- Jacob was homeschooled; there are no public school records, raising concerns of isolation and missed welfare checks ([22:41], [23:57]).
- Comparison to the Turpin case—homeschooling can sometimes remove an important line of defense against child abuse ([22:41]).
“When you take that safety net out of the equation, you have more children being abused.”
—Brian Fitzgibbons [22:41]
3. Broader Reflections & Public Appeals
- Panelists lament how easy it is for some unfit parents to evade oversight, with children ultimately paying the price ([19:55] Brian Fitzgibbons).
“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?”
—Brian Fitzgibbons [19:55]
- Both cases highlight the danger of delayed reporting and lack of third-party oversight.
- Nancy repeatedly urges listeners to contact authorities if they have any information:
- Genesis Reed: Enterprise PD at 334-347-2222
- Jacob Pritchett: Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS or crimestoppers.nypdonline.org
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
“I can’t tell you how devastating the blow will be if Genesis has been missing since Christmas... We’ve lost a lot of time if that’s true...”
—Nancy Grace [11:48] -
“It’s not like a house that she walked out of. This is an apartment building... 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.”
—Crime Analyst [06:10] -
“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.”
—Brian Fitzgibbons [19:55] -
“All signs have to lead to this mother. And for these questions to be answered.”
—Crime Analyst [20:45] -
“If you know or think you know anything about the case... please help us find baby Genesis and little boy Jacob. Nancy Grace Signing off. We wait as justice unfolds. Goodbye, friend.”
—Nancy Grace [24:38]
Important Timestamps
- [02:51]: Introduction to the case of Genesis Reed, 3, missing from Enterprise, AL
- [06:10]: Crime Analyst questions abduction scenario; neighborhood context
- [08:57]: Contradictions in mother’s report about sleeping arrangements
- [09:54]: Detective discusses custody issue possibility and search patterns
- [10:34]: FBI involvement—potential for interstate angle
- [11:12]: Neighbors’ statements, last sightings, behavior changes
- [17:40]: Mother Adrian Reed charged with filing false report; official update
- [18:23]: Transition to Jacob Pritchett’s case in Brooklyn
- [18:46]: Jacob’s disappearance details and mother’s denial
- [20:45]: Cadaver dog findings/blood evidence in Jacob’s apartment
- [22:41]: Homeschooling concerns and public school record absence
- [24:38]: Nancy’s closing, public appeals for tips
Flow and Tone
Nancy Grace and her panel maintain a direct, urgent, and empathetic tone throughout. The underlying message is one of hope, but also an insistence on accountability and the need for vigilance when children go missing, especially when their caretakers’ stories are inconsistent. Frequent appeals for public involvement underline the seriousness of the cases.
Summary
This episode sharply scrutinizes two missing child cases, exposing inconsistencies in parental stories, highlighting investigative challenges, and invoking both expert analysis and community witness reports. Nancy Grace, supported by crime analysts and investigators, lays bare the potential for custody disputes, parental deception, and the dire consequences of delayed reporting. The takeaway is an impassioned call to the community to stay alert, provide information, and protect the vulnerable.