SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – As hundreds search for Rosebud woman Savannah Standing Bear, who went missing three weeks ago, her family hopes she returns home safe.
Standing Bear, 22, went missing on March 25 in Parmelee, South Dakota. Her mother, Gayla Smith, told KELOLAND News the last interaction she had with Standing Bear was the night of March 24, before Savannah said she was “going out.” She has not been in contact with her family or law enforcement since.
“We miss her and won’t stop searching for her,” Smith said. “I know she won’t give up on me, so I won’t give up on her. I’m hoping and praying that she can walk through the front door and say, ‘Mom, I’m home.’ She’s not just my daughter, she’s my heart.”
Standing Bear was last seen wearing a black shirt, distressed jeans and white Nike shoes. She has a tattoo that says “Loyalty” on her neck.
Rich Kumley, the supervisory special agent for the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement, said multiple agencies have been out looking for Standing Bear.
“This week continued very much the same as the weeks prior,” Kumley said. “We have done ground searches, foot searches. We’ve had people come in with specialized search and rescue dogs, cadaver dogs just searching the area.”
Tribal law enforcement is tracking leads in the Rapid City, Sioux Falls and Omaha areas, as well as locally in Parmelee and on the Rosebud reservation. They are working with the FBI, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Rapid City Police and the United States Attorney’s office.
“We don’t know if she’s with somebody and just hiding out because she’s afraid to come home, she’s not in any trouble, we just want her home,” Kumley said.
Hollis Flowers, a member of the Parmelee community and acting media outreach for Standing Bear’s case, said hundreds of locals, family and community members have shown up to help in the search.
“Basically, every square inch of Parmelee, any abandoned buildings, the old school, things like that, but then also definitely in surrounding areas as well,” Flowers said.
Multiple Native horse riding groups, NDN Collective, Game, Fish and Parks, and other rescue crews from around the area of helping, Flowers added.
Smith said her daughter’s behavior is abnormal and she doesn’t normally go this long without contacting her family.
“She never goes off grid,” Smith noted. “She’s always keeping in contact, especially with her sister. She can’t even be away from me very long. We’re too close, you know, all of us.
Kumley said if anyone has information on Standing Bear’s location, they are asked to call the Rosebul Sioux Tribe Police Department at 605-856-2282. There is a $5,000 reward for the person who provides information leading to Standing Bear’s location.
“If somebody gives us information that directly leads us to Savannah, so that we can see her, even get a picture of her holding today’s paper, sounds corny, I know, but just something to say, ‘Hey, I’m right here, here’s today’s date, I’m fine.’ That is set up to help us give that money to the person who helps us find Savannah.”
