Angela Harris 5 Years Later: Talks Preserving Daughter Aniah's Legacy, Carlee Russell Hoax, & More
Angela Harris, mother of Aniah Blanchard who was kidnapped and killed in October of 2019, is hosting a self defense class on December 21 at the Homewood Recreation Center at 1pm in Studio #2. There will also be a vigil and other events at Homewood City Hall by the Christmas Tree that night. Time TBD.
She will be updating her Facebook and Instagram accounts with the location as soon as it is finalized, so be sure to check those accounts.
December 21, 2019 was officially declared "Aniah Haley Blanchard Day" in Homewood, Alabama.
The scheduled self defense class in honor of Aniah Blanchard embodies the mission statement of Aniah's Heart, a non-profit organization created in Aniah's honor. It reads:
"In the preservation of Aniah Blanchard’s memory, honor of her love for people, and prevention of others from becoming victims of violence, Aniah’s Heart will provide SAFETY EDUCATION AND SELF DEFENSE TRAINING to the community; provide HOPE for the missing through SEARCH AND RECOVERY SUPPORT for those families who have become victims."
Harris has been keeping busy ever since Aniah's death, including getting powerful legislation passed, talking to young ladies across the country about personal safety, and being on the front line in helping to locate missing persons, both nationally and locally.
I got a chance to speak with her about the upcoming event in her daughter's named scheduled for December 21, and much more.
Question: How are you feeling at this very moment?
Angela Harris: I'm just taking it hour by hour. That's all I can do. Some days are great. Some are terrible. It's really difficult because Aniah really was my best friend. I know people say that all the time but it's really true. If I wasn't at work and she wasn't at school or doing something school related, we were talking or FaceTiming. When I was working (the night shift) at the hospital she would call me every morning at 6:30, (a.m.) and when the phone would ring around that time all my co-workers would say "There's Aniah!" So it's been difficult with that part of my life missing. In a way I feel like Aniah sacrificed her life for others. He (Ibraheem Yazeed) had such a violent criminal history and was just going to continue hurting people until he was stopped. Unfortunately, it seems like Aniah will end up being the person to put an end to his crimes. (His trial date is likely to be set at a status hearing on January 30, 2025)
Editor's Note:
Ibraheem Yazeed was out on bond on unrelated kidnapping and attempted murder charges at the time of Aniah's death. This was the main influence behind the creation of Aniah's Law: To provide judges with more authority to deny bail to individuals charged with some of the most serious crimes.
WATCH: Ibraheem Yazeed captured in Escambia County, FL
Question: A lot of people would fade into the black after experiencing something so tragic, a child being killed, but not you. It's been the opposite. You're on the frontlines. What's keeping you energized to do the work you do five years later?
Angela Harris: It's my kids. Seeing them carry on and move through life now that Aniah's gone. There still grieving just like I am but it gives me strength to see them move forward.
Question: What have you been leaning on for support over these past five years?
Angela Harris: Family and friends, of course. But also from supporters from all over the world, and I mean the entire world. I still get calls and messages to this day and it means more than they will ever know.
Question: Carlee Russell was reported missing last year and of course we all know how it played out. You were on the front lines during that search as well. Do you have any comments on that situation?
Angela Harris: Yes, I do. First off, knowing what I know now, I wouldn't have done anything differently. When I got the call (about her being abducted) I dropped everything to help. The next day I got a call from some of the men who were involved in Aniah's search. They're like family to me at this point so when they called I knew it was important. They told me that between the interstate video and the 911 phone call, things were not adding up, and with each passing hour it's looking like the whole situation was staged. At the time, I was so emotionally involved in the search that in my mind I wanted them to be wrong. I continued to work and be supportive until the (video) proof was undeniable.
WATCH: Police detail what Carlee Russell told them in interview
Question: What were your feelings at that time?
Angela Harris: I can't really put it into words. I just stopped existing for a few minutes is how to best put it. I was at home by myself when I got the call, and everything just stopped. Time stopped. My heart stopped. Everything stopped. And then of course I became angry. Not for me, but for all of the men, women, and children missing. Especially the women and children, since a lot of times their missing persons numbers are disproportionately high. I don't want ANY family to not get the support and resources they need to locate their loved ones due to people creating fake cases.
I definitely believe her punishment should have been more severe. I don't think her life needs to be destroyed, but I definitely don't believe the punishment fit the crime. There were lots of people who traveled from all over to help find Carlee. It was July, the hottest summer month and someone could have easily had a heat stroke or anything while looking for her. But like I said earlier, I don't regret anything. I would make the decision to help again.
Question: How has your perspective on life changed?
Angela Harris: The overwhelming number of things that I used to worry and stress about do not matter at all. I was ALWAYS family oriented but now it's on another level. I'm more concerned about family and relationships nowadays versus "things." The people in your life, that should always be the priority.
Another thing. It's funny in a away. I've never been afraid to die. It was more so of my kids dying before me, but with Darien (her first son) and Aniah dying I feel different now. I don't won't to die, not out of fear, but because I feel like there is so much more work to do. So many things left for me to do. I know I can't save everyone but I definitely feel there's still a lot of things for me to do and i'm excited to do them.
Question: How did the self-defense class get started?
Angela Harris: Obviously after Aniah died I wanted to do something. And the class isn't just about self-defense. It's also about planning and awareness. Whether you're going out to dinner, getting groceries out the car, getting gas at night, or even just being at home by yourself; Always have a plan in place of what to do if, and when something bad were to happen. And please, please don't think "Oh it won't happen to me." Hopefully it doesn't but if it does you stand a much better chance if you're prepared. Be prepared and be brave.
Question: What do you hope people takeaway from this event?
Angela Harris: The importance of preparation. And to be kind. That's another thing we're working on in Aniah's honor; A Random Act of Kindness day in her name. We're hoping this event continues to grow and grow as time goes on.
Question: Anything else you want to tell your supporters?
Angela Harris: Thank you. For the calls, DMs, social media posts. Everything. From the bottom of my heart.
I won't ever stop saying thank you!
WATCH: 48 Hours: Fighting for Aniah
