Chicago

UIC Student Reported Missing by Family is Found Safe

Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said Shalyha Ahmad, a student at University of Illinois Chicago, went to the 22nd police district and "indicated she was never missing"

An 18-year-old woman reported missing by her family this week has been located, police said. 

Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said Shalyha Ahmad, a student at University of Illinois Chicago, went to the 22nd police district and "indicated she was never missing." The police department said it was closing the missing persons case. 

This comes one day after family members asked for the public’s help in finding the teen student, who they hadn't heard from since before Christmas.

Ahmad was reported missing Dec. 16 from the 5600 block of West Newport, according to police. She was last seen Dec. 14 on campus at the Student Center East, according to her family and missing person fliers.

Ahmad’s parents said they dropped her off on Dec. 14 at a Blue Line station as the teen headed to school.

“We were supposed to meet at around 6:30 p.m. because we told her we were going to pick her up from school and we went there, she was not there,” said her mother, Shetti Fatima Ahmad. “She didn’t arrive at the meeting place, that’s when we really got worried.”

Her parents then contacted university police who told them to call the Chicago Police Department, the family said.

Her mother said one friend reported that she saw Ahmad on campus the day the young liberal arts major went missing, so the family believes she made it to school before she disappeared.

“This is unusual. This is the first time. She has not done this before,” Shetti Fatima Ahmad said.

The parents admit they were urging their daughter to pursue nursing school, though she is currently studying liberal arts instead.

Family members said they had been unable to reach Ahmad via phone or social media. They said they checked her belongings but nothing seemed missing.

“It is difficult. Very, very difficult,” Shetti Fatima Ahmad said.

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