A family in Jacksonville is desperately seeking assistance to locate a well-known photographer, who is also a wife and mother of five, reported missing early Monday.

Kayla Bailey, aged 34, works as a newborn photographer and has children whose ages range from 5 to 12. Her husband, Joshua Bailey, mentioned that her cellphone last connected to a signal at a Sunoco gas station on U.S. 301 in Maxville at approximately 6:39 a.m.

Since then, he said, the phone has either died or been turned off.

According to a statement by her daughter to First Coast News, the last time she saw her mother was around 5:45 a.m. Kayla was walking outside their home, and they briefly made eye contact before the daughter went back to sleep. Upon waking later in the morning, her mother was no longer there.

Kayla Bailey is described as 5’8 with blonde hair and glasses. Family members said she was last seen wearing a black romper and sandals.

Family members describe her disappearance as highly unusual. They noted that recently she had been having difficulties and had stopped communicating with clients of her established photography business.

Her spouse expressed concerns that she might be in danger. In response, volunteers have initiated search efforts, distributing flyers in Maxville, while information about her disappearance has been broadly shared on social media.

Joshua Bailey urged his wife to contact family if she is able.

“We have five children,” he expressed. “It’s crucial for us to care for them. We definitely do not want to become a single-parent household. Our goal is to parent our children together. We sincerely hope this message reaches her, and that she can just call or send a text.”

Kayla Bailey’s mother, Lisa Lucas, also made an emotional plea.

“If somebody has her, please let them find it in their heart to let her go,” Lucas said. “This is not her character. She would never, ever, ever leave these kids. She wouldn’t do this to me.”

The family said a missing person report has been filed with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. Authorities have not yet released new information. Anyone with information on Bailey’s whereabouts is urged to call JSO.