OSBI Working Against Time to Find Missing 7-Year-Old

By Jennifer Pierce, NEWS 9

GERONIMO, Oklahoma -- A 7-year-old Geronimo girl is still missing and an investigation continues into both her disappearance and her mother's death.

Deputies found the body of 7-year-old Aja Johnson's mother, 37-year-old Tonya Hobbs, at 9 p.m. Sunday in her parked RV. Aja went missing Sunday night in Geronimo.

Prosecutors have filed a first-degree murder charge and kidnapping charge against 46-year-old Lester Hobbs in the killing of Tonya Hobbs and the disappearance of her daughter, Aja Daniell Johnson.

Authorities believe Aja is with Hobbs. Deputies said he is Aja's step-father, and he is wanted for questioning in Aja's mother's death.

Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation Spokesperson Jessica Brown said investigators are worried that time could literally be the difference between life and death for Aja. Authorities are not sure if Hobbs is armed but said he is dangerous.

"We do believe time works against us, so it is paramount we find this child," said Brown. "He is a convicted felon and knows how to get weapons."

As law enforcement scour the grounds near the crime scene, state and Comanche County authorities, as well as police in other states, are following tips that could lead to Hobbs and hopefully Aja.

"Actually we've had several hundred leads since the beginning, and that is good. Our problem now is to run those leads and make sure that we get them in a timely fashion," Brown said.

Aja's father, J.J. Johnson, made an emotional plea, Monday, for the safe return of his daughter. Johnson said he needs his little girl back, and she needs her medication for attention deficit disorder and insomnia.

He last saw Aja Friday afternoon. He said Aja was supposedly going to a family member's birthday party and left with clothes for an overnight stay with her mother.

"Please Lester if you're listening or anyone out there who knows where she is, please return her. Take her to a safe spot," J.J. Johnson said. "I'm here to make a plea to everyone who is listening, every parent who is out there that I need my little girl back."

Hobbs is believed to be driving a 1992 White Toyota Paseo with Oklahoma license plate number 577-BPW. The 2-door car reportedly has no hubcaps and plastic covers the rear passenger window.

Deputies said Hobbs may be headed to Davenport in Lincoln County. Davenport is near Stroud.

OSBI has also requested the states of California, Oregon, and Texas issue Amber Alerts due to Hobbs having relatives living in those states.

If you see the vehicle, you're urged to call 580-355-1115. OSBI have set up a line specifically for this case. A representative from The Center for Missing and Exploited Children is in Geronimo and has set up a nationwide hotline: 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).

More on News9.com: Search Continues for Missing Oklahoma Girl as Authorities Investigate Her Mother's Death | Documents Reveal Details of Man Accused of Murder and Kidnapping