News Summary
A 2-year-old girl, Aniyah Woods, was found safe after being reported missing for nearly two months. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement issued a Missing Child Alert, leading to her recovery. Community members expressed concern and rallied to assist in the search. Although the exact circumstances of her recovery remain unclear, the case has raised questions regarding the procedures for reporting missing children and the actions of child welfare authorities.
St. Petersburg, Florida: 2-Year-Old Girl Found Safe After Nearly Two Months
A Missing Child Alert for a 2-year-old girl was issued on Friday night, July 18, 2025, leading to her safe recovery shortly thereafter. The child, identified as Aniyah Woods, had been reported missing since May 21, 2025, from St. Petersburg, Florida. The alert, issued by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), did not clarify the reasons for the delay in its release of information regarding her disappearance.
Key Details of the Situation
Authorities stated that Aniyah Woods was last seen in the 600 block of 40th Avenue South. As part of the ongoing investigation, law enforcement had remained active in the case since her disappearance in May. The St. Petersburg Police Department (SPPD) had received reports from the Department of Children and Families (DCF), which conducted a wellness check in May but was unable to make contact with the child at that time.
On July 18, the DCF communicated with law enforcement, confirming Aniyah Woods was officially missing, which prompted the issuance of the alert seeking public assistance in locating her. During this period, she was described as approximately 2 feet, 3 inches tall, weighing about 26 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.
Public Response and Investigation
The public was urged by the SPPD to provide any relevant information regarding the child’s whereabouts by contacting their department or the FDLE directly. The alert prompted community engagement, with many residents expressing concern and willingness to assist in the search.
Resolution and Current Status
The Missing Child Alert was notably canceled on the morning of July 19, 2025, after officials confirmed that Aniyah Woods had been found safe. Further details concerning the circumstances of her recovery have yet to be released, as the case continues to be investigated. The SPPD has not issued further statements detailing the timeline leading up to her discovery.
Background Context
The case of Aniyah Woods has raised questions regarding the protocols for reporting missing children and the immediate actions taken by child welfare authorities. Community members have expressed a mix of relief at her safe return and concern over the events leading to her disappearance.
Previous wellness checks conducted by the DCF serve as an indication that the authorities were monitoring the situation prior to the official missing report. Residents and child welfare advocates are likely to call for legislative reviews and improvements in procedures for handling child safety and reporting.
The situation remains a focus of both local and state law enforcement, and efforts may lead to enhanced engagement with community resources to better safeguard children in similar circumstances in the future.
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Additional Resources
- Local 10 News
- Wikipedia: Missing Person
- Fox 13 News
- Google Search: Missing Children Florida
- WTSP News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Child Protection
- Hoodline
- Google News: Florida Missing Child
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
