Local authorities announced on Friday that the search for Kada Scott, the young beauty pageant contestant and health care worker, who has been missing since October 4, is ongoing.
Scott’s disappearance was addressed during a press conference featuring District Attorney Larry Krasner, State Representative Andre Carroll, and Assistant District Attorney Ashley Toczylowski.
According to the authorities, Scott went missing after abruptly leaving her new job at The Terrace at The Chestnut Hill Nursing Home. Before she disappeared, she reportedly encountered Keon King, the last person known to have seen her. King has since been arrested on criminal charges, including kidnapping and criminal use of a communications facility.
District Attorney Krasner urged any other potential victims who may have been harmed by King to come forward. His office emphasized the importance of public tips, noting that even seemingly minor information could hold significant value in the investigation.
“I think part of what is happening here, and it’s good news, is that young people are seeing themselves in Kada and older people see Kada Scott in their kids,” Krasner said. “They want to know that everyone is doing everything they can, whether perfectly or imperfectly, to address this horrific situation. I want to assure the public that I am fully committed to justice in this case and to all efforts supporting Kada.”
The DA’s office stressed that every tip matters. Krasner explained, “Sometimes when we receive information—say, about a car—the significance of that information may be much greater than the tipster realizes. For example, knowledge about a car could lead to DNA evidence, geolocation data from the vehicle’s navigation system, or other investigatory leads that branch into multiple directions and layers of important information.”
Charges have also been filed against King in two other cases. Krasner noted that in at least one instance, a judge set cash bail at $200,000, despite the DA’s office requesting $1 million. King posted 10% of that bail—$20,000—and was released, which may have intimidated an eyewitness and the victim in that case.
However, in the current case involving Scott, King’s bail has been set at $2.5 million, and he is unlikely to be released, according to the DA’s office.
“This highlights the problems with cash bail,” Krasner said. “It’s not just about whether the defendant is held in custody immediately. It’s also about the victim’s situation—how likely is a domestic violence victim to come to court if they know the defendant will walk out the same door? The sad reality is victims are more likely to testify when they know the defendant is locked up and cannot follow them out of the courthouse.”
Krasner further explained that King had not been in custody previously, which affected court proceedings. “There were two court dates where the victim and eyewitness did not appear. Although subpoenas were sent to the correct addresses and the DA’s office made multiple phone calls, both were repeatedly sent to voicemail.”
The DA’s office is encouraging any additional victims to come forward. “You do not need to fear the defendant following you out of the courthouse door this time, because he will not be released,” Krasner assured.
State Representative Andre Carroll, who met Scott last summer, expressed his gratitude toward the authorities working on the case.
“First and foremost, I want to thank the DA’s office, the FBI, and the homicide detectives assisting with this investigation,” Carroll said. “At this moment, there is a family praying for the safe return of this young lady. We recognize that everyone in the city—from the community to law enforcement and elected officials—is committed to bringing Kada Scott home safely.”
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/philly-da-urges-possible-victims-of-suspect-in-kada-scott-kidnapping-case-to-come-forward/article_e25628e9-8064-4907-b02f-458b68cca18c.html
