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Helping Seniors Make Better-Informed Medicare Decisions
Trying to pick a health insurance plan can be a chore for anyone. For many people, just mentioning the word "open enrollment" sends shivers down the spine. It seems like there's always a nagging feeling that you're wasting money, choosing a plan with poor in-network care, or both. One would think that health insurance gets easier as you approach retirement age, but the truth is that picking an initial Medicare coverage plan can be daunting.
Unfortunately, the confusing process of signing up for Medicare causes many seniors to forego healthcare coverage altogether. After all, Medicare enrollment can involve several federal agencies, including the Social Security Administration (or SSA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (or CMS).
At Senior Medicare Insurance Services, our passion is guiding seniors through the confusion of Medicare. That way, they can enjoy retirement with peace of mind knowing they are protected and ready for life after 65. We work with dozens of insurance companies, giving our clients the chance to choose a plan that best fits their lifestyle.
We choose to design our senior insurance plans with a focus on optimal benefits structure, lower costs, and personalized service. Some independent insurance agencies see their aging customers as nothing more than a financial transaction waiting to happen. In contrast, we treat each of our clients with respect and dignity as we help them navigate the confusing waters of Medicare. Combined with individualized service, we help older Americans make well-informed decisions about insurance. Whether you're in need of senior Medicare Supplement Plan insurance in Aiken or simply have questions about signing up for Medicare, our team is here to help.
Service Areas
What is Medicare?
If you're approaching the golden years of your life, it's important you understand what Medicare is if you don't already.
Medicare is a federal health insurance program reserved for people older than 65 who have worked full-time for at least ten years. The Medicare program is paid for by a combination of worker payroll tax, premiums paid by Medicare enrollees, and the U.S. government.
There are four parts of Medicare:
This type of Medicare is free for most U.S. citizens. Medicare Part A helps older adults pay for care in a nursing facility, hospital visits, and some forms of in-home senior care.
This tier costs around $100 per month. It covers different outpatient services like lab tests, preventative care, doctor's visits, mental health care, clinical trials, and some forms of surgery.
This type of Medicare is most often called Medicare Advantage. This tier of Medicare allows seniors to choose health plans provided by insurance companies like Senior Medicare Insurance Services. Individuals who use Medicare Advantage commonly use Medicare supplement plan insurance to help pay for health care costs that Original Medicare won't cover, like coinsurance, deductibles, and copayments.
Sometimes called "PDPs," these plans add drug coverage to standard Medicare, some Medicare Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS), some Medicare Cost Plans, and Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans (MSA).
The amount of money you pay for your health care depends on several factors, including:
- What kind of care you need, and how often it is needed.
- The type of Medicare coverage you choose.
- Whether there are alternative insurance policies that will help fill gaps in your coverage
- Whether a doctor agrees to charge you the same amount that Medicare will cover for a medical service
At Senior Medicare Insurance Services, we offer a number of health insurance solutions for seniors. Two of our most used services include Medicare Advantage plan insurance and Medicare supplement plan insurance.
Senior Medicare Supplement Plan Insurance in Aiken
Sometimes called Medigap, the purpose of Medicare Supplement Insurance is to help fill in "gaps" that might not be covered by Original Medicare. You can think of a Medigap policy as a supplement for your Original Medicare benefits.
Private companies like Senior Medicare Insurance Services sell this type of insurance right here in South Carolina. While Original Medicare will pay for much of the cost associated with health care services you need, it may not cover all of your expenses. Generally, Medigap policies do not cover costs stemming from eyeglasses, private-duty nurses, dental care, hearing aids, or long-term care.
Depending on the Medicare Supplement Plan that you choose, it may cover out-of-the-country medical services when you travel abroad. Assuming you have Original Medicare coverage, your policy will cover its share of Medicare-approved health care costs. Once your Original Medicare coverage reaches its limit, your Medigap policy will pay its share of the fees.
Our Medigap policies are drafted to meet your specific needs, and can help cover remaining health care costs such as:
Deductibles
Copayments
Coinsurance
Important Information About Senior Supplement Plan Insurance
To dispel some confusion, you should know that a Medigap policy is not the same as a Medicare Advantage Plan. The latter helps you receive Medicare benefits, while the former supplements the benefits you obtain through your Original Medicare plan. As you begin to explore Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, keep the following important information in mind:
As you begin to explore Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, keep the following important information in mind:
- To qualify for a Medigap policy, you must first have Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B.
- Payments on your Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan will be made to the private insurance company that you choose, like Senior Medicare Insurance Services. These payments are made every month and are paid in addition to the monthly payment you make for Medicare Part B.
- If you are the holder of a Medicare Advantage Plan, it is illegal for an insurance company to sell you a senior Medicare Supplement Policy. If you plan on switching back to an Original Medicare plan, you may be able to purchase a Medigap policy.
- If you have health problems as you age, your standardized Medigap policy is guaranteed to be renewable. So long as you pay your monthly premium, your insurance provider cannot cancel your policy.
- Medigap policies only cover one person. If you have a spouse or family member that would like coverage, they must purchase a separate policy.
- You may only buy a Senior Medicare Supplement Plan from an insurance agent that is licensed to sell them in your state. Senior Medicare Insurance Services has been licensed to sell Medigap policies in South Carolina for years. We have helped countless seniors get the Medicare coverage they need and continue to do so to this day.
- In the past, Medigap policies were able to cover costs related to prescription drugs. As of January 1st, 2006, prescription drug coverage is not available on Medicare Supplement Plans. The best way to get coverage for your prescription drugs is to join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, often called Part D. Contact our office today to learn more about paying premiums on Medigap and Medicare plans.
For many people, the best time to buy senior Medicare Supplement Plan Insurance in Aiken is during the 7 months Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This period starts the day you turn 65 years old, so long as you hold Medical Insurance (Medicare Part B). Generally, during the enrollment period, you get more policy choices and better pricing. Once the enrollment period is over, you may not be able to purchase a Medigap policy. Contact Senior Medicare Insurance Services today to determine if you qualify for a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan.
Senior Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance in Aiken, SC
A Medicare Advantage Plan is a kind of Medicare health coverage designed to provide seniors with all their Part A and Part B Medicare benefits. Many Medicare Advantage Plans will often include coverage of the following:
- Preferred Provider Organizations
- Special Needs Plans
- Private Fee-for-Service
- Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans
- Health Maintenance Organizations
In addition, most Medicare Advantage Plans give seniors coverage for their prescription drug needs. When you enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan through Senior Medicare Insurance Services, your Medicare benefits are covered through your plan and will not be paid for by traditional Medicare.
How Medicare Advantage Plans Work
Sometimes called "MA Plans" or "Part C," Medicare Advantage Plans are considered an "all in one" solution to Original Medicare. Senior Medicare Advantage Plans are only offered by private companies that are approved, like Senior Medicare Insurance Services. Seniors who enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan are still on Medicare. However, these individuals enjoy bundled plans that give seniors the benefits of hospital insurance (Medicare Part A), medical insurance (Medicare Part B), and sometimes drug coverage (Part D).
Medicare Advantage Plans are very popular because they cover all Medicare services and make life a little easier for seniors who have trouble understanding the nuances of Medicare.
When you contact Senior Medicare Insurance Services to choose your Medicare Advantage Plan, ask your agent about Medicare prescription drug coverage. Unless you already have drug coverage (Part D), you should seriously consider Part D coverage to help reduce costs associated with prescription drugs. You may also want to consider a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan to help fill gaps in coverage that Original Medicare will not cover.
Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance Rules
Medicare works by paying a set amount of money to the companies that offer senior Medicare Advantage Plan insurance in Aiken. That money is used to pay for the care services that you need. Because Medicare Advantage Plans are different, you should expect out-of-pocket costs to vary depending on the plan you choose.
Different plans have different rules for how you receive services, such as:
If you must go to facilities, suppliers, or doctors that belong to your Advantage Plan for non-urgent and non-emergency care.-
Whether you must get a referral to see a specialized doctor
Companies that offer Medicare Advantage Plans must follow strict rules, which are set by Medicare and can change every year.
Paying for Your Senior Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance
How much you pay for your Medicare Advantage Plan varies and depends on a few different factors. In most cases, if you need a kind of medical service, you will need to rely on the doctors and providers in your plan's service area and network to pay the lowest amounts. In some cases, if you choose to use a service outside of your plan's network of coverage, you may have to pay out-of-pocket.
We encourage you to contact our office today to learn more about Medicare Advantage Plans, how they work, what your options are, and how often you will have to pay out-of-pocket, if at all.
The Senior Medicare Insurance Services Commitment
Since our company was founded, we have led the insurance industry by providing our clients with the most valuable, helpful insurance solutions available. We are fully committed to our current and prospective clients by:
Choosing to focus on personalized, one-on-one service. When you work with our team, know that we will always design your health insurance plan with your best interests in mind.-
Listening to your specific needs. -
Responding to all inquiries and questions promptly and with a friendly attitude. -
Providing you with the best customer service in the senior health insurance industry, whether you have questions or are ready to move forward with a Medicare plan.
Our mission is to help give seniors the best Medicare assistance available so that they may understand the Medicare process and make an informed health coverage decision. We have the knowledge, skills, and experience to assist anyone interested in Medicare. Our personal goal is to become a lifetime resource for our clients and give them greater confidence in choosing their insurance plans.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 8 organizations which offer 82 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.
Latest News in Aiken, SC
Aiken Standard’s top 10 stories of 2023: No. 7 — Aiken Towne Park taking shape on Aiken Mall site
Dede Biles dbiles@aikenstandard.comhttps://www.postandcourier.com/aikenstandard/business/aiken-mall-redevelopment-aiken-towne-park/article_5c61f690-9dd2-11ee-b7dd-9710f50c7d06.html
Editor’s note: The Aiken Standard is counting down its top 10 local stories for 2023 from Dec. 19-30.The redevelopment of the Aiken Mall was more of ...
Editor’s note: The Aiken Standard is counting down its top 10 local stories for 2023 from Dec. 19-30.
The redevelopment of the Aiken Mall was more of a concept than a reality for a long time, but that changed in 2023.
“A lot of progress was made,” said Jason Long, a senior vice president for Augusta-based Southeastern Development Associates, which is spearheading the effort.
“The demolition was completed,” he continued, “and the first two retail buildings went vertical and are nearing completion.
Each of the approximately 5,000-square-foot structures will have a drive-thru.
Southeastern announced during the summer that it had two “committed” tenants for the buildings: Chicken Salad Chick and Tropical Smoothie Café, which both will be businesses new to Aiken.
Long told the Aiken Standard that he was expecting those restaurants to begin operations locally during the first quarter of 2024.
“We’ve also done more site work to prepare for the construction of additional retail buildings and multifamily [housing] that will start next year,” Long said.
The mixed-use project’s apartment complex will have 256 Class A units. Their rental fees probably will be in the $1,500 to $2,000 per month range, according to Long.
Whiskey Alley’s co-owner and executive chef, Chad Jajczyk, will be focusing on a type of cuisine that he especially enjoys at The Red Door.
The new eatery is scheduled to make its debut early next year in downtown Aiken, where Whiskey Alley also is based.
“I have been interested in Japanese cooking since I was in my 20s,” Jajczyk said. “This is my first opportunity to really explore it in a restaurant. I’ve dabbled with a lot of Asian food at Whiskey Alley, but I wanted to open up something downtown that was a nice Asian edition.”
The other members of Whiskey Alley’s ownership team, Norman Dunagan and Alexandrea Kneece, are joining Jajczyk in the venture.
“Ramen is probably going to be the biggest thing, and we’ll also have small plates and ‘shareables,’” said Jajczyk of The Red Door’s menu, which also will be influenced by food from other countries in the Far East.
To give people of preview of what The Red Door will be offering, there was a Japanese/whiskey-tasting dinner at Whiskey Alley earlier this month.
“I was worried because Japanese [fare] kind of scares some people sometimes, but it worked out really well,” Jajczyk said. “The reception was very good, so I was really happy.”
The Red Door’s location most recently was the home of an Irish pub, Jameson McDubby’s, which closed for good in September at 126 Laurens St. N.W.
Today’s events for Dec. 24
Post and Courierhttps://www.postandcourier.com/aikenstandard/entertainment/todays-events-for-dec-24/article_1489063a-a11d-11ee-a153-2bf2f431322d.html
Christmas Eve services will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday at Millbrook Baptist Church, 223 South Aiken Blvd. The family worship will feature candlelight, Christmas carols, a children’s Christmas message and the Christmas story from Luke 2:1-20 and Isaiah 9:6-7. For more information, visit millbrook.cc.Christmas Eve services will be held at 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday at Cedar Creek Church, 3001 Banks Mill Road S.E. For more information, visit ...
Christmas Eve services will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday at Millbrook Baptist Church, 223 South Aiken Blvd. The family worship will feature candlelight, Christmas carols, a children’s Christmas message and the Christmas story from Luke 2:1-20 and Isaiah 9:6-7. For more information, visit millbrook.cc.
Christmas Eve services will be held at 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday at Cedar Creek Church, 3001 Banks Mill Road S.E. For more information, visit cedarcreekchurch.net/christmas.
The following Christmas Eve services will be offered at St. John’s United Methodist Church on Sunday: Regular morning services will be at 8:30 a.m., 9:02 a.m. and 11 a.m.; family services will be at 5 p.m.; a candlelight service will be at 7 p.m.; and a candlelight service with communion will be at 11 p.m. The 5 and 7 p.m. services will be livestreamed on Facebook and online. For more information, visit stjaiken.org. The church is located at 104 Newberry St. N.W.
The following Christmas services will be offered at St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church: Advent IV service with Holy Communion and music will be held at 10 a.m. and a Christmas Eve service with Holy Communion and music will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday; a Christmas service with Holy Communion and music will be held at 10 a.m. Monday; and a First Sunday in Christmas service with Holy Communion and music will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 31. The church is located at 1630 Silver Bluff Road. For more information, visit staaiken.org.
Let’s Go Bingo will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Mondays at the Aiken Senior Life Services, 1310 E. Pine Log Road. There is a $5 cover charge. Game cards are $1 each or $15 to $25. For more information, visit facebook.com/letsgobingoaiken.
The Awesome Aiken Al-Anon group meets from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at First Christian Church, 900 Kerr Drive.
Nar-Anon Aiken For Comfort Family Group will meet from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays in person in the conference room near the main sanctuary at St. John’s United Methodist Church, 104 Newberry St. S.W. and via Zoom. For more information, email aikennaranon@outlook.com.
Celebrate Recovery, a 12-step group for men and women, meets at 7 p.m. Tuesdays at Cedar Creek Church, 3001 Banks Mill Road.
The Depression Anxiety Bipolar Support Group of Aiken and Surrounding States will meet from 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays online via the GoToMeeting App. For more information contact Mindy Harmon at 803-507-2214 or email manicgh@yahoo.com.
An ACBL Sectional Bridge Game is held at 1 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at the Lessie B. Price Aiken Senior and Youth Center, 841 Edgefield Ave. A free bridge lesson will be held at 11:30 a.m. For more information, email AikenBridgeClub@gmail.com.
The Savannah River Site Museum, 224 Laurens St. S.W., is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. The museum features exhibits and resources related to the Savannah River Site and the Cold War. Admission is free. For more information, call 803-648-1437 or visit srsheritagemuseum.org.
Amp The Alley will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in The Alley in downtown Aiken. Concerts will be held every Thursday through Oct. 26. For more information, visit ampthealley.com.
4 Cats in the Doghouse play jazz from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursdays at The Willcox, 100 Colleton Ave.
Brain and Body Fitness will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursdays at Aiken Senior Life Services, 1310 E. Pine Log Road. The fitness program uses a chair and addresses primary aging skills that include cognitive function, fall prevention, breathing, mobility and more. The cost is $8 per class. For more information or to register, call 803-648-5447 x. 0 or visit aikensenior.org.
The Back to Basics Alcoholics Anonymous group will meet in-person at 7 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 961 Trail Ridge Road. Masks are encouraged for those who are not vaccinated.
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FOTAS: Celebrating those who make it possible at the Aiken County Animal Shelter
Joanna D. Samson FOTAS FOTAS vice presidenthttps://www.postandcourier.com/aikenstandard/lifestyle/fotas-celebrating-those-who-make-it-possible-at-the-aiken-county-animal-shelter/article_c7c0bf4a-9f83-11ee-b2b2-3326aaab52b5.html
The Christmas season is upon us. It’s a time of festivity, bright lights, family, goodwill and faith. It’s also a time to count our blessings. As we at FOTAS look back over the past 14 years, it’s also a time to express our profound gratitude for our friends and supporters in the Aiken community....
The Christmas season is upon us. It’s a time of festivity, bright lights, family, goodwill and faith. It’s also a time to count our blessings. As we at FOTAS look back over the past 14 years, it’s also a time to express our profound gratitude for our friends and supporters in the Aiken community.
Since 2009, our life-saving programs have expanded to include not only helping with the care and re-homing of every adoptable shelter animal, but to initiatives to help folks keep their animals at home (like augmenting the county’s spay/neuter financial assistance for citizens-in-need, sponsoring pet food drive up’s and pet food donations to community food banks, including our partnership with ACTS and Senior Life Services’s Meals on Wheels, sponsoring free pet microchip events and providing humane runners for dogs who have been tied to a chain all their lives). In addition, we also have implemented programs to help folks avoid surrendering animals to the shelter in the first place, like our successful online Home-to-Home initiative and the TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) for community cats. Just this year, the new P.A.W.S. building opened to great acclaim, providing opportunities for quiet meet and greets, training sessions and a new catio (indoor/outdoor cat patio).
This time of year is also a time for FOTAS to celebrate those who have contributed to our successes.
Thanks to Aiken County Council Chairman Gary Bunker and County Council for making it possible to save the lives of thousands of homeless animals in Aiken County. Our partnership grows stronger with each passing year.
Thanks to Brian Saunders, Aiken County administrator; Paige Bayne, the county’s enforcement and animal services director; Bobby Arthurs, the shelter manager; Dr. Nancy Rodriquez, the shelter’s veterinarian; and all the shelter staff for their commitment to increasing the opportunities for each adoptable animal to find a forever home.
A huge shout-out and thanks to the army of volunteers who make the work of FOTAS possible — everything from manning the front desk, walking and socializing dogs, helping with canine play groups, working special events and fundraisers, fostering dogs, organizing transfers, manning off-site adoption events, working on publicity, social media and financial record and bookkeeping responsibilities.
And finally, thanks to you, the Aiken community, for your extraordinary generosity and support. You have made it possible for FOTAS to help the county provide the best possible care and outcome for its shelter animals.
All that effort has paid off: For the past six years, the shelter has been able to save every adoptable animal. That’s a big deal, especially since the shelter’s intake is over 4,000 animals a year.
Sadly, right now, the shelter is in crisis. Intake numbers have exploded nationally, and the county shelter is no exception. The shelter is shockingly full for this time of year. Animals are doubled-up in the kennels. Staff and volunteer resources are stretched to the max. Why? Blame inflation; COVID, flu and RSV outbreaks; burgeoning development and population growth in the county; chronic shortages in spay/neuter services; and increased pet restrictions in rental properties. At this rate, the shelter’s ability to save every adoptable animal in 2024 is in jeopardy. That’s a heartbreaking prospect.
God bless you and your family during this holiday season, and may God bless the county’s homeless animals during these difficult times.
Their lives are in our hands.
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Verizon continues the gift-giving season with new 5G service in Aiken County, SC
verizon.comhttps://www.verizon.com/about/news/verizon-continues-gift-giving-season-new-5g-service-aiken-county-sc
Reliable 4G and high-performing 5G service now available in Salley, Perry & Berlin, SCAIKEN, SC - Whether enjoying connecting with friends and family while on the move, connecting their smart homes through Verizon Home Internet, or using Verizon service for small business or enterprise applications, Verizon customers in Aiken County near Salley just got a big boost. Verizon recently turned on a new cell site in Salley which now offers reliable 4G and high-speed 5G service to residents and visitors in tow...
Reliable 4G and high-performing 5G service now available in Salley, Perry & Berlin, SC
AIKEN, SC - Whether enjoying connecting with friends and family while on the move, connecting their smart homes through Verizon Home Internet, or using Verizon service for small business or enterprise applications, Verizon customers in Aiken County near Salley just got a big boost. Verizon recently turned on a new cell site in Salley which now offers reliable 4G and high-speed 5G service to residents and visitors in town. The upgraded service covers the nearby areas in Salley, Perry, and Berlin, South Carolina. Service from this new site also provides increased capacity and performance for our public safety locations including Hollow Creek Fire Department.
This additional service is part of Verizon’s massive multi-year network transformation which has not only brought 5G service to more than 230 million people and 5G home internet service to more than 40 million households, but has also added more capabilities, upgraded the technology in the network, paved the way for personalized customer experiences and provided a platform for enterprises and developers to drive innovation.
“Our network engineers work tirelessly to ensure we can provide the most reliable connections across Aiken. We will continue to unlock the power of 5G for our customers with better connectivity for their phones, homes and businesses, as part of our ongoing commitment to this community,“ said Eric Lia, SVP of Engineering and Operations at Verizon.
Services from the network customers rely on
For customers in Salley, the additional coverage and capacity means more customers now have access not only to reliable, fast mobile service, but also Verizon Home Internet service, a different kind of home internet with truly unlimited broadband service and no data caps. It’s ideal for anyone who wants super fast connectivity to stream, game or even work remotely. Verizon Home Internet is reliable and fast enough to power home connected devices: smart TVs, tablets, phones, gaming consoles and more. Go to verizon.com/home for availability. Visit verizon.com/deals for the latest 5G phones and accessories.
Additionally, through Verizon Frontline, the advanced network and technology developed over three decades of partnership with first responders to meet their unique and evolving needs, public safety agencies in the Salley area will also be able to experience the benefits of these network enhancements. To learn more about Verizon Frontline, visit verizon.com/frontline.
Perry & Salley area businesses have access to 5G Business Internet from Verizon. 5G Business Internet is ultra-fast wireless business internet powered by 5G Ultra Wideband. This wireless alternative to cable internet is for businesses of all sizes and includes self-setup or professional installation options, multiple pricing and service options, unlimited data, and a 10-year price guarantee for 5G Business Internet service. To learn more about Verizon 5G Business Internet, visit verizon.com/5gbusinessinternet and plug in an address to see what service is available.
Missing mom’s loved ones hope she won’t be ‘another statistic’
Audrey Dickherberhttps://www.wrdw.com/2023/12/18/family-doubles-reward-case-missing-aiken-county-mom-jamilla-smith/
JACKSON, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - The family of an Aiken County missing woman has increased the reward to $10,000 for information about her case.Last week, Jamilla Smith’s family had offered $5,000, but her father held a news conference Monday where he said the reward had been increased.EARLIER COVERAGE:The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office says it’s following up on every lead to find out what happened to “Millie” Smith, whose family hasn’t heard from her since Dec. 2.Daniel Harmon...
JACKSON, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - The family of an Aiken County missing woman has increased the reward to $10,000 for information about her case.
Last week, Jamilla Smith’s family had offered $5,000, but her father held a news conference Monday where he said the reward had been increased.
EARLIER COVERAGE:
The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office says it’s following up on every lead to find out what happened to “Millie” Smith, whose family hasn’t heard from her since Dec. 2.
Daniel Harmon was arrested and charged with kidnapping her, but she hasn’t been found.
It’s the unknown that hurting Smith’s family, friends and children the most – especially before the holidays
“They are scared, confused, worried and heartbroken,” said Kimberly Kite, investigative researcher. “These feelings and emotions are unlike any they’ve ever experienced. They deserve the answers.”
Some of Smith’s family members think the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office isn’t doing enough to find her.
Capt. Eric Abdullah from the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office says the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is involved and that searches have taken place, including one Monday.
“We all have one ultimate goal, and that is to find Jamilla,” Abdullah said. “Once we find her, then things can progress.”
Still, family members and friends are hoping for answers soon.
“We don’t want Jamilla to become another statistic,” family friend Vanessa Williams said. “She has family who loves her, children who love her, and that’s why we’re here today. We don’t want to be swept under the rug.”
Some of Smith’s family members have taken matters into their own hands by conducting their own searches.
“Millie, if you’re still there, if you can still do whatever you can, just know that we’re not going to stop,” Williams said.
“We’re not going to stop, and we’re going to keep pressing and keep pressing and keep pressing. until we get answers – until we get what we need to get to get closure,” she said.
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Smith’s last known location was her house at 425 Old Jackson Highway on the night of Dec. 2. She called 911 and said she was running from a man she described as her ex. The phone went dead but not before a male voice is heard yelling at her to get in the car, followed by a horn blaring.
Smith had been with Harmon earlier that day, driving to Columbia. She was in contact with her family during the drive, telling them she’d argued with Harmon.
MORE | Second Fort Jackson drill sergeant found dead this month
By the night of Dec. 4, authorities had issued a missing-person alert about Smith, saying she was thought to be with Harmon in a black Charger.
Harmon was arrested after the Charger was seen at a home in North Augusta in the 400 block of Carpenterville Road. Deputies converged on the home, bringing in the SWAT team as a precaution, and Harmon was taken into custody after a tense hour.
But Smith wasn’t at the house.
Harmon was initially arrested on a warrant for domestic abuse, but a kidnapping charge was soon added.
He was denied bond.
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