Cartisha Morgan is the mother of Ma’Kayla Wickerson and grandmother of 5-year-old Malaiyah, who vanished from Berkeley, Missouri nearly three years ago in a case involving a suspected cult. Cartisha says the silence has been overwhelming since her daughter cut off all contact when she disappeared in 2023. There seemed to be no answers until earlier this year when a significant lead emerged involving a potential sighting in a TikTok video which police are currently investigating.
As part of a powerful session with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, Cartisha shares what her experience has really been like, from the early warning signs she now recognizes to the emotional toll of the unknown. She speaks candidly about the need for mental health support for families and why keeping cases in the public eye matters more than ever.
Grounded in faith and resilience, Cartisha is a mother of five and grandmother of ten who continues to advocate for Ma’Kayla and Malaiyah every day. This year’s CrimeCon marks a significant moment in her journey, as she meets Shelita Gibson - another mother living this exact same nightmare - for the first time. Cartisha is holding onto hope that by joining forces, someone will help lead their families closer to the answers they need.
