On Wednesday, police in South Carolina released video footage of a little girl walking off her school bus. That was the last time 6-year-old Faye Swetlik was seen.
Faye stepped off the bus in Cayce, just outside of Columbia, South Carolina, at around 3:45 Monday afternoon. There, the little girl played in her front yard before she was reported missing by 5 p.m.
Over the course of the last 24 hours, Faye’s story has escalated to national news coverage, sparking attention around the country. Police in Cayce cautioned residents on Wednesday against believing devastating rumors spreading online about the little girl, emphasizing that their investigation is still ongoing.
“We’ve noticed a lot of incorrect information on social media that’s being circulated around and being shared across different platforms,” said Sgt. Evan Antley of the Cayce Department of Public Safety. “As law enforcement we are committed to keeping you our community informed with timely and accurate information. What does that mean? That means rumors that are false could potentially divert valuable resources from our mission of bringing Faye home.”
Since being reported missing, some 250 law enforcement personnel have been combing the Churchill Heights neighborhood, questioning those who live in the community as well as stopping passersby driving through the area.
Cayce locals have also been helping search for Faye. Many in the community have even given police access to the footage recorded by their residential security cameras.
“We are trying to bring Faye home,” said Antley. “We’re asking people that live in that neighborhood, that do business in that neighborhood, we want to know what they know.”
Faye was last seen wearing a T-shirt with the word “PEACE” scrawled across it. If you have any information that could lead to Faye’s rescue, call 803-205-4444.
Please be in prayer for Faye, her parents, the entire Swetlik family, and the first responders and FBI officials working to bring Faye home safely.