Reward for safe return of missing mom, daughter

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29-year-old Ronkeya Holmes (Source: Winter Haven Police Department)

3-year-old Masaraha Ross (Source: Winter Haven Police Department)

By Lynda Figueredo - email

SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) - The family of missing a 29-year-old Savannah woman and her 3-year-old daughter have set up a $2,000 reward for their safe return.

Ronkeya Holmes and her daughter Masarah Ross have been missing for two months.

In addition to posting a reward for their return, the family also set up an account at SunTrust Bank to help with any expenses they may come across related to the search.

Ronkeya's mother Edith Fletcher, said the family is not giving up and will continue their search.

They will be selling T-shirts with the missing pairs pictures on them and hosting bake sales to raise funds for the reward.

Fletcher said she is staying in contact with Winter Haven, Florida investigators, but so far nothing significant has turned up.

In November, Fletcher and her family visited the cities of Winter Haven and Haines City in Florida to pass out fliers that contained information about her daughter and granddaughter.

"We not able to sleep. All of us had our own personal relationship with my sister you know. It's just, it's hard, real hard having to be there for each other," said Ronkeya's sister Angel Fletcher.

It was October 18, 2009 when Ronkeya drove to Florida to pick up her daughter from the child's father, Lester Ross.

The 3-year-old was staying at her father's home in Winter Haven while Holmes took classes at Savannah Technical College.

Ross says he handed the girl over at a Haines City Walmart, but police haven't found any evidence to back up that claim.

We spoke with Fletcher shortly before she headed to Florida in search of her daughter.

"It's just hard knowing that you have spent two weeks without her not knowing anything. Where she is, or how she is doing," said Fletcher.

With each day that passes, Fletcher worries that her daughter may no longer be alive.

"I'm ready for that call, but I don't want to get that call," said Fletcher.

Investigators found Ronkeya's car shortly after her disappearance with her luggage in the front seat, her college badge hanging from the rear view mirror and several children's items in the back seat.

"I think they planted it in there to cover it up," said Fletcher.

Ronkeya's mother believes her granddaughter's father may have something to do with their disappearance.

Either way, the family says they won't stop searching until they know what really happened to Ronkeya Holmes and her child.

The FBI is also looking into this case.

Investigators haven't been able to find Lester Ross since he was questioned about the disappearance of Holmes and their daughter.

If you'd like to donate to the search fund, visit any SunTrust Bank and ask to give to the Holmes/Fletcher Benevolent Fund.

And if you know anything about the missing mother and daughter, call Polk County Crime Stoppers at 800.226.TIPS or your local authorities.