April 12, 2016, started out as a typical morning in the Bali residence in Yorkton, Saskatchewan. However, the seemingly normal day would turn into six-plus years of searching for Mekayla Bali. At just 16 years old, Mekayla vanished. She was last seen at the Saskatchewan Transportation Company (STC) Bus Depot in Yorkton at 1:45 p.m. that day. Mekayla has not been seen or heard from since.

There have been tips and alleged sightings from around the world, including in Washington state.

On Wednesday, May 25th, the Washington State Patrol, in partnership with Kam-Way Transportation and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), unveiled two new Homeward Bound semi-trailer trucks featuring Mekayla Bali. The trucks were unveiled in Blaine, Washington, a few minutes south of the Canada-United States border.

The Homeward Bound program is administered by the WSP Missing and Unidentified Persons Unit. The program uses the high visibility of commercial vehicles to increase awareness surrounding missing individuals in hopes of obtaining leads regarding possible whereabouts from the public. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, 1 out of 6 children are recovered due to the public viewing a picture.

The project was spearheaded by Trooper Renee Padgett in 2005. The back of the new Homeward Bound trailers will also feature a remembrance of Trooper Padgett, who lost a years-long battle with cancer. Her work and dedication to the program helped reunite many families.

The original trucking company that worked with Trooper Padgett eventually moved locations, halting the program for a year. In 2018, Kam-Way Transportation stepped forward and the program was reestablished. Kam-Way semi-trailer trucks travel all over the United States and into Canada and Mexico.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police has been searching for Mekayla Bali for over six years.  There is a $100,000 (CDN) reward for Mekayla’s safe return.  If you know where Mekayla is, or have any information about her disappearance or whereabouts, please call 1-800-THE-LOST. No tip is too small, and any tip could be the one that brings Mekayla home.  If you know or see something, say something.

Watch the unveiling of Mekayla’s Homeward Bound trucks here.