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DAUGHTER WAS HEADING TO WORK A LATE SHIFT AT A NURSING HOME IN WYCKOFF
Suburban News - 12/14/2017
PATERSON -- Outside the Brooks- Sloate Terrace apartment complex in the city's 1st Ward, loved ones hovered around the mother of Shanaya Coley, as she asked for the safe return of her daughter, who was abducted in her own car on Dec 5.
With a shortness of breath, Rachel Martin sat in a chair and nearly in tears as she told those who listened in she couldn't live without her only child.
"Bring her home, please," Martin said. "That was my life. I want my child."
Martin spoke out publicly Friday as the search for the 24-year-old city mother entered a third day without her being found. Over two dozen people stood and were in prayer outside of the apartment complex's parking lot.
Neighbors said hardly any crime happens within the apartment complex.
"Reveal, expose and return home," said Lilisa Mimms, who is running for Paterson city council, as she proceeded chanting with others. "As we leave this place of coming together, make sure when we leave this place that you continue to pray for Shanaya."
No cameras exist where Coley parks her car or throughout the complex, residents said.
Through a secretary, the property manager declined to comment.
"I was just with my child Tuesday," Martin said. "If I'd known I would have never let her go. Take me, not my child."
Details have not been released by authorities as to whether Coley was taken by someone known to her or at random.
"It's a shock to our community," said city resident Antoinette Brevard. "We're hurting. We don't know anything."
Coley's father, who was not in attendance, said previously blood was spotted on the ground Dec. 5 near where her daughter's 2013 Nissan Altima is normally parked. He said her daughter was heading to work a late shift at a nursing home in Wyckoff.
"God, please send me my child," Martin said. "Please let her be alive. Her baby needs her. I need her."
After speaking, Martin was later seen briefly by paramedics. She said she complained of pain.
Email: ortizk@northjersey.com