Deputies search for missing endangered woman from Hernando County

BROOKSVILLE, Fla. (FOX 13) - A search is underway for a missing Hernando County woman believed to be in danger. 27-year-old Keyonna Cole was last seen Sunday and her family says it's unlike her not to go more than one day without calling them.

The Hernando County Sheriff's Office confirmed Saturday that Cole's ex-boyfriend, 41-year-old Dwyane Williams, has been named a person of interest in her disappearance.

"You have to know her to love her," Cole's cousin Gaynell Sheppard said. "She's a very outgoing person."

Cole is described as a loving mother with a free spirit and in a close-knit family.

"The hardest part is not knowing," Sheppard said. "Where she is and if she's okay."

Cole was last seen Sunday. She was supposed to pick up her son from a family member's house on Monday morning and drop him off at daycare, but she never showed up.

"If somebody knows something please tell us," Cole's cousin Siamone Rodgers said. "We need her home. Most importantly, her baby needs her home."

Cole disappeared one day before her family says she was set to give a deposition in an attempted homicide case against Williams.

"I think that he had something to do with it," Rodgers said.

Williams is currently facing a warrant for his arrest. He's accused of strangling Cole back in October 2018 when she was 5 months pregnant with their child. The family says the alleged attack happened at Russell Street Park in Brooksville.

"She was beat," Rodgers said. "Something about her leg was messed up, but she crawled from there to her ex-boyfriend's house and that's when they called the ambulance."

Cole eventually lost her un-born child as a result of her injuries. Willams was later arrested and charged in the attack. The charges have now been upgraded to attempted homicide and a warrant remains out for his arrest.

Her family is now holding out hope she'll be found safe, encouraging her not to give up.

"Just stay strong," Rodgers said. "If there's an opportunity for you where you can get loose and go, by all means don't hesitate run. Run until you can find a phone to call us."

If anyone has any information on the pair's whereabouts, you're asked to call the Hernando County Sheriff's Office at 352-754-6830.