The Northeast MS travel fastpitch softball team has been sued by numerous parents for the disappearance of their children who play for the team.
Baldwyn, MS — In a deeply troubling development that has shocked families and communities across Northeast Mississippi, multiple parents have filed a lawsuit against the Northeast MS Travel Fastpitch Softball Team, alleging negligence and misconduct after the unexplained disappearance of several players.
The lawsuit, filed Monday in Lee County Circuit Court, accuses the team’s management and coaching staff of failing to properly supervise, protect, and account for the whereabouts of young athletes entrusted to their care. According to court documents and interviews with family members, at least four players, all teenage girls, were last seen during a team travel event in Alabama and have not been heard from since.
Missing Players
The missing players have been identified as:
- Emily Grace Sanders (16) – Tupelo, MS
- Lily Ann Walker (15) – Corinth, MS
- Hailey Evans (17) – Booneville, MS
- Jasmine Porter (16) – New Albany, MS
The girls were reportedly traveling with the team to participate in a weekend tournament held in Birmingham, Alabama. The group left on Friday, and by Sunday evening, the four girls were unaccounted for. While the rest of the team returned home, the four teens never arrived at their designated drop-off locations. Families say they were not informed of the girls’ absence until more than 24 hours later.
Legal Action and Allegations
The civil lawsuit names the team’s head coach, assistant coaches, and the travel organization itself, citing gross negligence, breach of duty, and obstruction of information related to the ongoing investigation.
“This is every parent’s worst nightmare,” said Monica Sanders, the mother of Emily Grace Sanders. “We trusted these people to keep our daughters safe, and now they’re missing—and no one seems to have answers.”
Parents allege that:
- There was no adult chaperone assigned specifically to overnight monitoring of the players.
- The team’s transportation log was incomplete and inaccurate, making it difficult to verify who was on which bus or van.
- Some team staff members failed to alert authorities promptly after realizing the girls were missing.
- Cell phones belonging to the girls stopped transmitting GPS signals within hours of the tournament ending.
The lawsuit seeks financial damages, but more urgently, demands a court-ordered independent investigation into the team’s operations and partnerships.
Team’s Response
In a statement released through their attorney, the Northeast MS Travel Fastpitch Organization said:
“We are deeply saddened by the current situation and are cooperating fully with law enforcement. Our focus is on supporting the families and doing everything we can to aid in the safe return of the missing players. We cannot comment further due to the pending legal proceedings.”
Sources close to the team, who asked not to be identified, said the group was understaffed during the trip and that some supervision responsibilities may have “fallen through the cracks.”
Law Enforcement Involvement
The case is now under joint investigation by the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI), the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). According to officials, the last known location of the missing girls’ cell phones placed them in a rural area about 15 miles northeast of Birmingham, near the Alabama-Georgia border.
FBI spokesperson Lauren Price confirmed that agents are following multiple leads, including reviewing surveillance footage from rest stops, hotels, and gas stations between the tournament venue and the suspected area of disappearance.
“We are exploring every possible angle,” Price said. “This is an active, urgent investigation, and our hearts are with the families of these young women.”
Community in Shock
The story has rocked communities across Northeast Mississippi, where many of the girls were known not only for their athletic talent but also for their involvement in school, church, and local volunteer groups. Vigils and prayer services have been held in towns across Lee, Prentiss, and Alcorn counties, with hundreds of supporters attending to light candles and share messages of hope.
“She’s strong, she’s smart, and we know she’s fighting,” said Angela Porter, mother of Jasmine Porter, speaking at a vigil in New Albany. “But we need help. We need answers. We need her home.”
At least three school districts have made grief counselors available to students and staff this week, and local businesses have donated billboards, printing services, and food for search teams and family members.
Lack of Oversight?
The incident has also prompted broader concerns over the lack of regulation for private and travel-based sports teams, which often operate independently of school districts and formal athletic associations. Critics say many such organizations lack adequate oversight when it comes to child safety, transportation, and communication protocols.
“There are very few laws that govern how these teams operate,” said Dr. Karen Ellis, a youth safety advocate based in Jackson. “Parents often assume there’s a standard in place—but too often, that’s just not the case.”
Mississippi State Representative Tyler McGowan (R-Tupelo) said he intends to introduce emergency legislation aimed at increasing regulation for youth sports travel programs, including mandatory background checks, trip reporting, and parent communication requirements.
The Search Continues
Authorities continue to urge anyone with information to contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children or their local law enforcement agency. Flyers with the girls’ names and photos have been distributed statewide and shared widely across social media using the hashtag #FindOurGirlsMS.
An anonymous donor has offered a $50,000 reward for any information leading to the safe return of the players. Several local churches have also established 24-hour prayer hotlines and support groups for families affected by the crisis.
The girls’ families remain hopeful but say the lack of answers is agonizing.
“We just want them to come home,” said Tina Walker, mother of Lily Ann Walker. “We are not giving up. We are not going away. Someone out there knows what happened—and we’re begging them to speak up.”
As the investigation moves forward, the tragedy has left an indelible mark on a region known for its strong community ties and love for youth sports. For now, Northeast Mississippi waits, hopes, and prays—desperate for a miracle and united in grief, fear, and determination.
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