Update is at the bottom of the article.
After months of controversy, a local group home is once again back in the spotlight—this time for doing exactly what they allegedly didn’t do last time: calling for help when a child ran away.
The situation unfolded around 5:30 p.m. when employees from the group home told police that a young girl took off during an event. Staff said she ran north on Waller Street, turned west on 16th, and then headed toward the Scioto County Jail. Officers canvassed addresses on Summit and High Streets as they tried to track her down.
The Portsmouth Police Department didn’t waste time getting the word out. Shortly after the call, they posted a missing person alert on their Facebook page.
The runaway was identified as Kayhonna Vickers Ghee, a 17-year-old, who was last seen on April 16, 2025. She’s described as 5’7″, 115 lbs, with black hair and brown eyes. At the time she disappeared, she was wearing jean shorts, a white hoodie, and sparkly sandals.
This new case comes just weeks after SCDN broke the story that the group home allegedly delayed reporting a different missing 14-year-old—a girl who vanished back in December 2024 but wasn’t officially reported as a runaway until four months later in April.
If you have any information on Kayhonna’s whereabouts, please contact Detective Tori Pistole at 740-353-6489 or Portsmouth Dispatch at 740-353-4101.
Update
According to the PPD, Kayhonna has been found. She is said to be safe and in good condition. She has been returned to the group home.
Many thanks to all who helped look for her and communicated with the Detective. This is a wonderful resolution to a very dangerous situation.
