A 15 year old girl from Chicago is taken from her home
Yasmin and Damarcus live with Rose Mae Starnes
After living with Debi and Rick Keathly in Kentucky for three years, Yasmin's mother wants her children to be raised by a family member. Rose Mae Starnes, related through marriage, takes both of the children in. According to Rose, the children have poor manners when they arrive, and Yasmin has a low self-esteem. A caseworker decides it is best to establish a safety plan to protect Yasmin from abuse and from other children, as she often "searches out inappropriate contact with other children"
Rose Mae's Home
Victim
Sibling of Victim
Family Member Of Victim
Rose Mae Starnes adopts the kids
After living together for 5 years, Rose Mae Starnes adopts Yasmin and Damarcus.
Damacas is kicked out
Rose kicks Damarcas out of her house.
Rose is out of town
Rose Mae goes to Elgin, IL to visit her older daughter at the Grand Victoria Casino for two days. Yasmin remains in Chicago, staying with Rose's boyfriend, Charles Burt, at their home.
Grand Victoria Casino
Yasmin goes to YMCA Northdale
Yasmin goes to Northdale YMCA to play sports and participate in other afterschool activities.
North Lawndale YMCA
Evening: Yasmin returns home
That evening, Yasmin returns home at approximately 8:00pm to do a load of laundry and goes to bed afterwards.
Charles Burt notices broken lock
The next day, while throwing the garbage out, Charles Burt notices that the lock to the basement had been cut. It is evident that force had been used to enter the basement. He doesn't see Yasmin, but assumes that she had already gone to school, but he still calls Rose Mae to let her know what happened, but she never gets the call.
Other
Rose Mae returns home
Later that day, Rose Mae Starnes returns home. Charles tells her about the broken lock but they both assume that Yasmin is at school. She asks Charles to fix the broken gate.
Evening: Rose Mae realizes Yasmin is missing and reports it to police
Yasmin does not return home from school and Rose realizes that she is missing. She calls the police and they arrive around 7PM and file a report. Unfortunately, despite the evidence of forced entry, the police to not take fingerprints or other evidence from the basement. They assume she is just a runaway. Many of Yasmin's 'friends' from school told police that she called them, but after reviewing phone records police determine that this is false, but it still mislead the investigation. Yasmin had been about to start a new job and was excited for the annual YMCA trip.
Yasmin's case is featured on the Maury Povich Show
Rose Starnes, Yasmin's adoptive mother, joins a production team to film a segment for the Maury Povich show, bringing national attention to Yasmin's case for the first time.
One year anniversary press conference and a new reward is announced
Rose Mae holds a press conference one year after Yasmin's disappearance. She felt that the police could have done more since they felt she was a runaway from the beginning - despite having no history as a runaway- and that the case didn't get as much attention as it should have. Yasmin's family tells the press that they felt she had been kidnapped, and offer a $3,000.00 reward for information.
The Chicago Police Department admits to misconduct in Yasmin's case
In a letter received by Rose, the Chicago Police Department admits to the mistakes they've made in the investigation into Yasmin's disappearance. "All evidence was evaluated, and it has been determined that misconduct on the part of the Department member(s) has been proven" is explained by the CPD's internal affairs division in the letter. The Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department, Jody Weiss, adds to this statement, "it appears that some officers made a mistake. We'll deal with that but I think it is safe to say that particular incident had no impact on the efforts of our detectives in locating that young lady".
Law Enforcement
Rose meets with the Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department
Rose meets with Chicago Police Superintendent Jody Weis and asks them to reclassify Yasmin's cane as a missing person who was kidnapped, rather than a runaway. Weis responds publicly with "This is the highest priority missing person case for Area 5 detectives. All of us share the family's desire to find Yasmin Acree."
Chicago Police Department Headquarters
The reward increases to $5,000
After Yasmin remains missing for nearly 2 years, the reward for information in her case increases from $3,000 to $5,000.
Jimmie Terrell Smith is arrested
Almost two years after Yasmin's disappearance, Jimmie Terrell Smith is arrested for raping five women, two of which were 14-years-old between 2006 and 2009. Around the time of Yasmin's disappearance, Jimmie had been living in the same house as Rose Mae and Yasmin.
Person With Information / Witness
Friends and family distribute more flyers as another anniversary approaches
As the 2nd anniversary of Yasmin's disappearance rapidly approaches, family members distribute more flyers near their home.
Yasmin's family sends a letter to the police headquarters
In a letter sent to the Chicago Police Headquarters, Yasmin's family requests a meeting with Superintendent Jody Weis. Shortly after sending the letter, Weis agrees to meet with them.
A press conference is held and an age-progressed image is released
A month after the 2nd anniversary of Yasmin's disappearance, a press conference is held. At the press conference, Superintendent Jody Weis releases an age-progressed image of Yasmin, showing what she likely looks like at 18-years-old.
Reporters find Yasmin's diary
Reporters from the Chicago Tribune find a diary that is hidden under Yasmin's bed. In the diary there is an entry that states "I Miss Terrell...". There is later a press interview and Smith acknowledged that he had something.
Officials search Smith's former home
In early March of 2011, officials receive a warrant to search a south side home where Smith used to live with a former girlfriend, in 2008 and 2009. Police left the home with four evidence bags, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Yasmin's uncle and several others meet with Superintendent Garry McCarthy
In late October of 2011, Ira Acree, Yasmin's uncle, along with several other supporters, meet with Garry McCarthy, the Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. During the meeting, Yasmin's supporters seek reassurance that the department is making Yasmin's case a top priority.
A vigil is held ahead of the fourth anniversary of Yasmin's disappearance
On the eve of what would be the 4th anniversary of Yasmin's disappearance, friends and family host a vigil in front of the family home. During the vigil, Yasmin's family and other community leaders give a short, but meaningful update; an additional $1,000 has been added to the reward for information, bringing the total reward up to $7,000. Over this weekend, friends and family of Yasmin distribute and hang flyers around their neighborhood area, hoping to raise awareness of Yasmin's disappearance.
8:00pm: Yasmin's case is featured on a popular TV show
Yasmin's case is featured on the popular TV show, 'Find Our Missing', bringing national attention to her case for the first time since 2009.
A vigil is held on Yasmin's 20th birthday and an increased reward is announced
Friends, family, religious leaders from the area, and members of the community gather to remember and honor Yasmin on her 20th birthday. At the vigil, an increased reward is announced, bringing the new reward amount to $10,000.
Another vigil is held on the 5-year anniversary of Yasmin's disappearance
Another vigil is held and a push for attention is conducted as friends, family, and community members gather and distribute flyers.
Yasmin's family meets with Smith
Rose Mae meets with Smith at the Cook County jail where he allegedly admits to his role in Yasmin's disappearence. He tells her family that she had committed suicide. He claims that he had taken her to a house in the 2200 block of South Spaulding, but that he had burned her body in a garbage can to dispose of her body. Her family do not believe she committed suicide, but that Smith is involved. However, Smith has been sentanced to 110 years from his charges.
Cook County Jail
Morning: Rose dies
Rose dies in her home from natural causes. She had diabetes and kidney issues. She was 57. Family say that in the 6 years since Yasmin went missing, Rose's health declined and she had a lot of anxiety
An age-progressed image of Yasmin is released
An age-progression image is released, showing what Yasmine would look like at age 23.
A vigil is held on Yasmin's 24th birthday
A vigil is held by Yasmin's family members to honor and remember her on her 24th birthday.
A prayer vigil is held for Yasmin at the 10-year anniversary of her disappearance
On the 10-year anniversary of the day Yasmin was reported missing, Reverend Ira Acree, Yasmin's uncle, hosts a prayer vigil at the church she attended before her disappearance. During the vigil, Ira calls for the Cook County State's Attorney, Kim Foxx, to reopen Yasmin's case.
Chicago, IL
Yasmin's last known location prior to returning home.