ELK RAPIDS — Antrim County officials hope the FBI will help find a missing Elk Rapids woman after a judge revoked her bond in a pending felony assault case.
Circuit Judge Thomas G. Power granted a motion Friday by Antrim County Prosecutor Charles Koop to revoke Anne Avery-Miller's bond and issue a warrant for her arrest.
Her mother reported Avery-Miller missing on Jan. 22. Authorities continue to investigate the death of Avery-Miller's son, Sam Avery, who was found dead of a gunshot wound Nov. 7.
They still don't know if the wound was self-inflicted or caused by someone else, Koop said. Forensic tests are pending in that investigation.
Koop's office plans to ask the FBI to seek a federal fugitive warrant for Avery-Miller because she's absconding bond, he said.
Federal involvement would allow authorities to search outside Michigan, Koop said.
Authorities charged Avery-Miller in October with assault with a dangerous weapon after she allegedly tried to hit a man with her car. A jury trial was set for Feb. 6, but Power adjourned the trial until Avery-Miller is found.
There's no guarantee the FBI will become involved or dedicate personnel to a search, Koop said.
Police continue the search for Avery-Miller, who ran a barber shop in her home. Investigators plan to study phone records and other information in an effort to find out what happened, Elk Rapids Police Chief Michael Miles said. Avery-Miller vanished from her house, but her car and most of her belongings were left behind.
Miles said it's too early to determine if foul play is involved.
Avery-Miller's mother, Joanne Szymkawiak, however, is convinced someone played a role in her daughter's disappearance.
"I believe that if she would leave on her own, she would at least leave a note telling me," Szymkawiak said. "(And) things that were her prize possessions were still in the house."
Family and friends believe Avery-Miller likely is upset about her son's death and her criminal proceedings, but their only concern is finding a loved one.
"Those of us who know Anne ... we are very concerned for her well-being," said Ann Batdorf, Avery-Miller's friend of about eight years. "We have questions, too, but we are keeping our focus on that Anne is (a missing mom)."
Szymkawiak hopes Avery-Miller surfaces soon.
"I just want my daughter to be safe," she said. "She's been under so much pressure ... and so many rumors that are completely uncalled for."
