JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A group that says its goal is to help missing persons and survivors of human trafficking is raising money to help a Jacksonville mother who was found alive on Wednesday after she went missing for two days.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said Kayla Bailey, 34, was found lying on the ground in a wooded area just off a trail within three-quarters of a mile of her Maxville home.
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JSO reported her missing on Monday, and on Tuesday, police asked for the public’s help, saying she could be in danger.
Police say she had been without food, water, or shelter for more than two days.
The GoFundMe, launched by TKS America, has a goal of raising $12,000.
It says Bailey is a survivor of domestic violence, and they hope to raise money to help her and her children rebuild their lives in a safe, stable home.
“This is about giving them the opportunity to completely separate from the past and begin a new chapter filled with healing, security, and hope,” the fundraiser, organized by Brittany Griffin, states.
As of Thursday evening, people have given nearly $7,000.
The fundraiser’s organizer sent the following statement to News4JAX:
As friends who know Kayla and the struggles she has faced, we feel it’s important to be clear: no one should be speaking on anything regarding her disappearance. The truth is, we do not know the circumstances of why Kayla went missing, and until JSO completes their investigation, it is unfair and harmful to speculate.
What matters most is ensuring Kayla is given the space and support to heal, and that she and her children have the opportunity to rebuild their lives in safety and peace. Our focus remains on standing with Kayla 100% and making sure she is not defined by assumptions or opinions that do not reflect the facts.
Organizer of GoFundMe for Kayla Bailey
On Bailey’s Facebook profile, she describes herself as a business owner and digital creator.
On her business’s website, fohhphotography.com, Bailey is described as a Jacksonville photographer and a mother of five who began her business journey in October 2013.
Duval County court records show Bailey’s husband has been accused of domestic abuse multiple times, and at one point, he was ordered not to contact his five children and attend 52 hours of anger control classes.
Bailey’s husband, 40-year-old Joshua Elias Bailey, was booked into jail late Tuesday night on charges of violating a domestic violence injunction and violating probation on a felony offense.
His bond was set at $15,003, and he was ordered not to contact his wife or return home.
Resources
According to the Duval County Clerk of Courts, Jacksonville is fourth in the state when it comes to restraining order requests in domestic violence cases.
If you or someone you know is or has been a victim of domestic violence or abuse, here’s a list of other resources available:
- The Florida Domestic Violence Hotline, which will direct you to the nearest shelter, is 1-800-500-1119.
- The National Domestic Violence Hotline is open 24 hours a day. The number is 1-800-799-SAFE.
- The Micah’s Place (Nassau County) Domestic Violence Help Hotline is 904-225-9979.
- The Quigley House (Clay County) hotline is 904-284-0061.
- The Betty Griffin Center (St. Johns County) can be reached at 904-824-1555.