Daughter's Death Cries for Justice

December 6, 2021 is a day that will bring nothing but more pain for a local woman. On that day, an aspiring young 19-year-old's life tragically ended on Hwy 165 in Monroe, LA, as she was headed back to her job. Janecia Walker was hit and killed by an unknown driver, who, after hitting Walker, drove off, not caring if she was still alive or dead. The hit-and-run incident shocked the community as Walker became a grim statistic in the number of people who lost their lives on Hwy 165. As of press time, there has not been an arrest from the incident nor any statement from Monroe Police Department (MPD) surrounding the details of where the case stands. For Sonya Wilford, who is Janecia's mother, the pain from that fateful night has brought her and the family nothing but pain that someone could mercilessly leave an individual lying on the ground after they had just struck that person with their vehicle. Wilford said she has experienced nothing but pain and frustration in how her daughter's case is being handled. Now that the one year anniversary of her daughter's death is approaching, she said she is working to be strong. Strong not just for herself but for her other children. Even though there was video footage from the incident, Monroe Police appear to be no closer to solving the case than a year ago. Wilford says that her frustration stems from the fact that she has been the one who had to reach out to MPD for any information concerning Janecia's death. She said it would have been nice if she had gotten a call from MPD telling her that they are still persistent in finding the individual(s) who killed her daughter, but she said that it has only been a one-way street. She also shares that Crimestoppers reports concerning her daughter's case have only recently run, even though the broadcast should have run in December 2021, shortly after the horrific incident. That only compounded her frustration, said Wilford. She said that she has gone to MPD headquarters, as that is the only time she is told anything is when she reaches out. Wilford says that she wants to have confidence in the police, but she hasn't seen any progress in her daughter's case. Still, the pain keeps getting more significant, slowly taking a toll on her. All she knows, along with the rest of the community, is that Janecia was struck by a black Kia SUV with damage on the front left side and a missing driver's side mirror.

Wilford is talking to anyone who will help keep Janecia's case alive, as she reiterated to the Monroe Dispatch what she had to do to get any kind of communication from MPD. She shared how she constantly reached out to MPD instead of the other way around. MPD, in its defense, said that a traffic investigator is working on Janecia's case, but Wilford said she would like to see some progress, something concrete of the case moving forward.

"It has been hard getting help from MPD," she said with sorrow, hoping for anything that could show progress would give her some semblance of peace. But now, December 6, 2022 is fast approaching, and Wilford knows that she has to be a mother for her children, that they need her, and that she can't give up. She says she wants peace, justice, and closure. God knows, and He is watching. MPD, along with Crime Stoppers of North Delta is asking the public to contact them at (318)388-2274 and (318) 329-2600 with information regarding this crime. Help a grieving mother put the pain behind her and gain closure