Community Groups Lead Search for Missing Teen T'Montez Hurt in Kansas City

T'Montez Hurt, the 19-year-old grandson of Tecona Sullivan, has been missing since February 1 in Kansas City, Missouri. Despite a slow police response, community groups have taken the lead in organizing search events and criticizing the media and police handling of Hurt's disappearance.

Why this matters: The case of T'Montez Hurt highlights the systemic issues in the response to missing persons cases, particularly for marginalized communities, and underscores the importance of community-led initiatives in filling the gaps in law enforcement efforts. It also raises questions about the accountability of law enforcement agencies in providing timely and effective responses to missing persons cases.

Hurt was last seen on February 1 in the area of 77th and Troost Avenue, wearing a blue polo shirt and green sweatpants. His family in St. Louis has not heard from him since a troubling phone conversation that morning. Sullivan reported him missing the same day, but police did not take a missing person report until February 2.

On the day of his disappearance, Sullivan convinced a hospital receptionist to send police and an ambulance to pick Hurt up, but he was discharged a few hours later despite evidence of a mental health issue. Hospital personnel paid for a zTrip taxi to take Hurt to a Greyhound bus station, but the station was closed. Surveillance footage shows Hurt getting dropped off by the taxi and realizing the doors were locked before walking at least eight miles down Troost Avenue without his phone.

The Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) did not distribute flyers to local media or post about Hurt's case on social media until March 27, nearly two months after he went missing. Sullivan had to spend her own money to make flyers, only to later learn that police should have been providing them. "I hate to speak on it, but I have to... My Tez was missing Feb. 1, and I didn't get nearly the attention he had," Sullivan said. It shouldn't matter whether I had money, whatever race or gender he was, none of that - he was missing."

In response to criticism, KCPD spokespersons stated that a missing person report was taken on February 2 and that each case is different, with the investigative process determined by detectives. They said information is shared with the public when investigators request it.

Hurt attended Missouri Western State University in fall 2023 but did not return for the spring 2024 semester. As the search continues, Sullivan reflected on the impact of her grandson's disappearance:"We see all these pictures of missing people, but it's just pictures, you know, until it actually happens in your life. "Community groupsremain committed to finding answers and bringing T'Montez Hurt home.

Key Takeaways

• T'Montez Hurt, 19, has been missing in Kansas City, MO since Feb 1.
• Police response was slow, with no flyers or social media posts until March 27.
• Community groups took the lead in organizing search events and criticizing authorities.
• Hurt's family had to spend their own money on flyers, highlighting systemic issues.
• The case raises questions about police accountability in missing persons cases.