EAST POINT | Mother of missing toddler retains notable attorney | News

COUMBIA, S.C. -- The mother of a missing South Carolina toddler has retained a notable criminal defense attorney.

Hemphill Pride II said Tuesday that he now represents 22-year-old Zinah Jennings and has visited her at the psychiatric hospital where she is being evaluated.

Jennings' 18-month old son, Amir, hasn't been seen since Thanksgiving. Officers arrested her and charged her with unlawful conduct toward a child.

Jennings' family initially reported her missing as well, but she turned up again after she was involved in a car accident on December 24. During questioning, she refused to say what happened to her 18-month-old son, according to Columbia (S.C.) Police Chief Randy Scott.

11Alive News learned that Jennings was arrested for prostitution and drug possession less than a month before her son's disappearance.

According to the police report obtained by 11Alive News, East Point Police arrested her on November 9 after she agreed to have sex with an undercover officer in exchange for $40.

The report also says Jennings was smoking a "marijuana cigar" when officers waiting nearby swooped in to arrest her.

Jennings' family told Columbia Police that she suffered from severe depression when they reported her missing in early December.

However, it's now clear that in addition to potential mental illness, Jennings' life was unraveling in other ways in the days and weeks before her son's disappearance.

A $10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the return of Amir Jennings.

"This case has been weighing on the hearts and minds of Columbia Police investigators for weeks now. There is still great concern for the child's safety and well-being," Scott said when the reward was announced. "We continue to ask the public across three states to assist us in finding Amir Jennings."

Scott said the child's mother is being more cooperative, but still hasn't let them know what may have happened to the toddler.

RELATED | Search warrant for Zinah Jennings' home

Earlier this month, cadaver dogs and officers searched Zinah's home in Columbia. Investigators say during that search they took a shovel and several other items as evidence.

Chief Scott said a search of Zinah's car turned up a bloody blanket. Scott says, however, that the blood could be from the mother from injuries sustained in the December 24 car accident.

The blanket and the shovel were sent to the State Law Enforcement Division for testing.

Scott said since the initial questioning, Zinah has told them she last saw the child on November 29 at her home in Columbia. However, he said she said her son disappeared, and it was up to police to find him.