Family of missing 18-year-old begs Sumter community to help find him

SUMTER, S.C. (WIS) - The search continues for a missing 18-year-old in Sumter.

Jackson “Brent” Garcia was last seen on December 26 at a relative’s home along Ithaca Drive. Now, his family is pleading for help bringing their son home.

“Somebody knows something,” said Leo Garcia, Brent’s father. “We need help. Anyone out there, when you see this, please bring my boy home.”

On Thursday afternoon, dozens of community members searched the woods near Ithaca drive on foot and ATV. They also scoured the area behind Family Dollar on Route 15 in Sumter. That’s where Brent’s mom, Angel Brown, says dogs from Black River Search and Rescue out of Camden were able to track Brent’s scent Tuesday night.

“We have done ground searches. The police department has put the plane in the air. We’ve had people searching by boat. Somebody has to know something,” Brown said tearfully.

Brent lives with his grandmother, Jean Brown, who says she was the last to hear from her grandson around 5:30 p.m. Saturday night.

“I said, ‘Are you coming home?’ and he said, ‘Yes, Nanny. I’ll see you in a little bit,’” she noted. “That was the last I heard.”

Sumter County Sheriff’s Office investigators say they’ve exhausted every lead.

“At this point, we’re at a brick wall,” said Lieutenant Darlene Dellinger. “We’re back to square one, and we’re re-interviewing those who were in that last area where he was seen.”

Brent suffers from severe anxiety and depression, and his family says he doesn’t have his medication or his cell phone. He was wearing light gray sweatpants, black and white sneakers, and a dark-colored jacket when he disappeared.

“He’s never gone 24 hours, so we have fear that something terrible has happened,” said his mother.

His family is trying to stay positive, and they are hopeful they will be able to bring him home soon.

“I’m just not going to stop until he’s found, and I know with God’s grace that we’re going to do that, and he is going to be found safe,” said Jean Brown.

Brent’s family has also put out a cash reward for anyone with information that could lead to them finding their son.

If you know anything, contact the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office at (803) 436-2000 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC (274-6372).

Tips can also be given electronically and anonymously by going to p3tips.com.

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