Navajo Nation Police Issue Alert for Missing 8-Year-Old Near Coalmine

Navajo Nation Police issued an alert after Maleeka "Mollie" Boone, an 8-year-old girl, was reported missing following her last known sighting in the Coalmine, Ariz., area. The department said she was last seen between 4 and 6 p.m. on Jan. 15, 2026 near Coalmine Navajo Housing, prompting a community-wide search and an official notice to neighboring districts.

The alert was posted Jan. 16, 2026 and asked anyone with information to contact the Tuba City District or call 911. Authorities provided a brief description of Boone and encouraged the public to share tips to assist investigators. No additional case details or suspect information have been released publicly as of Jan. 21, 2026.

For McKinley County residents, the case has immediate local implications. Families with children who travel between communities on the reservation and nearby towns should review travel routes and check in with relatives. Schools, childcare providers and community programs often act quickly when a child is missing; their vigilance can be crucial in the first hours after a disappearance. Residents with ties to the Coalmine area or to the Tuba City District are asked to pass along any observations to law enforcement promptly.

This alert also underscores longstanding jurisdictional realities in northern New Mexico and the Navajo Nation. Missing-person investigations on the reservation typically fall under Navajo Nation Police authority, while coordination with county and state agencies can be necessary when cases cross municipal or state lines. Effective cross-jurisdictional communication and timely public information are essential to mobilize searches, gather tips and reduce confusion among residents who live and work across reservation boundaries.

Community voice matters in these situations. Local networks - family, chapter houses, churches and social media groups commonly used across the rez - are often the first lines of information sharing. Civic engagement in the form of tip reporting, checking home security footage, and alerting neighbors can materially aid investigators. For those offering help, keep communications focused on actionable information and direct any leads to the Tuba City District or 911 so investigators can follow up.

Investigators continue to seek information to locate Boone and determine her welfare. For readers, the immediate steps are clear: review any personal knowledge of the Coalmine area on Jan. 15, share relevant information with law enforcement, and stay attentive to community alerts. Timely community response and coordinated law enforcement action will shape how quickly this case is resolved and how safely families in McKinley County and neighboring districts can move forward.