Michelle McDaniel

My dad had called and said that Shantae hadn't came home. My dad had kind of figured she had spent the night with one of her friends.

My dad had called and said that Shantae hadn't came home. My dad had kind of figured she had spent the night with one of her friends.

She didn't go anywhere without her purse. It had kind of went over me. Something had happened.

She didn't go anywhere without her purse. It had kind of went over me. Something had happened.

I remember coming down the hill back to the church, and the parking lot's full, probably 200 people, all there to search for her. Yes.

I remember coming down the hill back to the church, and the parking lot's full, probably 200 people, all there to search for her. Yes.

I remember her telling me they had found her. I remember falling to my knees, screaming. Are there any words to describe what you felt? I was lost. I just, I had lost myself at that moment. I'd fell to my knees and asking why.

I remember her telling me they had found her. I remember falling to my knees, screaming. Are there any words to describe what you felt? I was lost. I just, I had lost myself at that moment. I'd fell to my knees and asking why.

Her love. Just her. I mean, just meeting her would make you just fall in love with her.

Her love. Just her. I mean, just meeting her would make you just fall in love with her.

We call her Shantae. She calls herself Shantae. It was a big voice for such a small person.

We call her Shantae. She calls herself Shantae. It was a big voice for such a small person.

I had her when I was 16. I guess I was trying to live for me for a while. I worked and I partied, so she just became my dad's permanent kid, pretty much.

I had her when I was 16. I guess I was trying to live for me for a while. I worked and I partied, so she just became my dad's permanent kid, pretty much.

If you talked to her, you would know that she was different than a normal child. She still kind of talked like a child.

If you talked to her, you would know that she was different than a normal child. She still kind of talked like a child.

How did she navigate those challenges? She just did. Nothing ever bothered her. She would figure it out.

How did she navigate those challenges? She just did. Nothing ever bothered her. She would figure it out.

He spoiled her just like my dad. She never went without as long as they were together. Sounds like he really took care of her. He did take care of her.

He spoiled her just like my dad. She never went without as long as they were together. Sounds like he really took care of her. He did take care of her.