WATERVLIET, New York — Watervliet Police announced on April 8, 2025, at 12:02 PM PDT that 15-year-old Shanora, previously reported missing, has been found. Shanora, who stands 5 feet 2 inches tall, weighs approximately 225 pounds, and has brown eyes and black hair, was last seen in the Watervliet area on April 6, 2025. The department had been seeking public assistance to locate her, urging anyone with information to contact them at 518-270-3833.
The initial alert mistakenly referred to the missing girl as “Mariaha” in one instance, but a CBS6 Albany report confirms her name as Shanora Brooks, aligning with the description provided. Watervliet, a city of about 10,000 near Albany, relies on community vigilance in such cases, and the police’s quick update suggests effective local cooperation. However, the lack of details about where Shanora was found or the circumstances of her disappearance raises questions. Was she at risk, or had she simply been out of contact? The absence of this information, while possibly intentional to protect her privacy, limits public understanding of the incident’s nature.
This case echoes other missing persons incidents in the region, such as the 2023 disappearance of 9-year-old Charlotte Sena from Moreau Lake State Park, who was found safe after an abduction. While Shanora’s situation appears less severe, the rapid resolution is a relief in a state where missing children cases can sometimes turn tragic, as seen with the 2019 Harmony Montgomery case in Manchester, New Hampshire. The Watervliet Police’s use of social media to share updates reflects a growing trend in small-town policing, though it also highlights the need for clearer communication to avoid confusion, as seen with the name discrepancy.
