36-year-old Richard Baia has been missing since July. Ashley Groves says her daughter is struggling with his absence. Listen here:
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Groves says Baia has made some bad life decisions and struggles with addiction. But adds, “Although we didn’t work out, he’s always been a good father to our daughter. The 9-year-old’s mom says, at first she wasn’t concerned about not hearing from him. She says, over the years there’s been several times when they didn’t have contact for several days. And sometimes longer, as their schedules don’t always align.
Baia has worked at Burger King on Hayes for the last two years as a shift manager. On May 1st, he was evicted from his home because he’d been bringing his homeless friend, Shane, to the apartment. Baia began staying with Grove’s grandmother, then Grove’s high school friend took him in. He was told to leave both residences until he could get his life back on track. Some tips on social media report Baia was staying in empty apartments on the west side after that.
Baia has not had contact with his loved ones in the last couple of months. Phone calls to Burger King resulted in “he’s not working right now.” Eventually, Groves received a tip that Baia was fired. Groves asked Burger King if he still works there, has resigned, or has been fired. They refuse to share employee information. Groves feels knowing what happened could provide clues and update the timeline of when Baia was last seen. She fears he was fired for being a no-show, adding to her concern for Baia’s well-being.
Baia left all of his belongings behind when he left Grove’s friend’s house. She retrieved his property several weeks ago and is storing it in her garage. She believed he would get back on his feet soon, and need his stuff. This week Groves began looking through Baia’s belongings, hoping to find clues that will lead her to his whereabouts.
Listen to Grove’s message to Baia here:
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Groves understands that people are wary of sharing information about Baia with her. Afterall, she is not legally related to him. But, their daughter is his closest relative. Groves hopes for understanding that she is simply acting on behalf of their minor daughter. Groves will not slow down on her effort to locate her little girl’s daddy.
Baia stands about 5’11”, weighs around 162 pounds, has brown hair and hazel eyes. He was last seen wearing his hair in a medium-length pony-tail. He’s known as Ricky, and typically wears a t-shirt and basketball shorts. Baia frequents the Northview Park and Pool, and the Griffith Ball Park areas, usually riding a bicycle.
Riley County Police Department Director Brian Peete has reached out to News Radio KMAN. Peete encourages anyone with information to contact his agency at 785-537-2112 or Crimestoppers at 785-539-7777.
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