The family of a Georgia mom who mysteriously vanished over the Fourth of July weekend are desperate for answers and for her safe return.

Natalie Jones, 28, of Grantville, was last seen on July 4 as she drove away from a friend’s home in Opelika, Alabama, between 10:20 p.m. and 11 p.m. According to her sister, Jessica Bishop, someone sent a text from Natalie’s phone around at around 12:52 a.m. on July 5. It’s the last known message from her Jones’ phone.

“I made it,” the text read.

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Bishop told CrimeOnline that her sister was at a Fourth of July party with several friends at home off of Riverchase Drive in Opelika, but none of the friends knew where Jones planned to drive to after she left.

Police reportedly tried to access additional information from Jones’ cellphone, but Bishop said there was “minimal activity” available because Jones used a texting app.

Jones’ phone last pinged “from a south tower in Ephesus near Franklin, Georgia,” at 4:40 a.m. on July 5, according to Bishop. Since then, the phone has been turned off, something Bishop previously said was out of character for her sister.

Bishop added that Jones would never willingly leave her children, two sons, ages 11 and 4, and was in good spirits and “hopeful for the future.”

Family members are now pushing for additional assistance; they’ve requested the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to take over the case.

The Georgia State Patrol aviation team conducted an aerial and ground search in Franklin County last Wednesday but found no evidence. Authorities also searched a lake in Tallapoosa County, Alabama, according to Bishop, but found nothing.

CrimeOnline reached out to the Heard County Sheriff’s Office but no one was immediately available for comment.

Jones drives a distinct four-door, Chevrolet Cavalier, that she had painted a bright pink color with a blue stripe. It has a Georgia license plate number of RVE6177. Despite its noticeable color, there have been no sightings reported to law enforcement, Jones said.

Several friends have been questioned and have reportedly been cooperative with law enforcement. Bishop said an ex-boyfriend of Jones has been questioned, as well as the mother of Jones son’s father.

So far, no suspects have been named and law enforcement has not said whether they suspect foul play.

Bishop added that Jones is currently in a custody battle over her 4-year-old son and is scheduled for a court hearing on August 21.

Previous reports indicated that Jones may have schizophrenia, but Bishop said Jones “has never been diagnosed with schizophrenia to my knowledge” and “was on no medication for any mental illness.”

Jones stands 5-feet-3-inches tall and weighs 130 pounds. She has brown hair with blond highlights and blue eyes. She has an “Isaac” tattoo on her left wrist, a “Trent” tattoo on her right wrist, and a star diagram tattoo on her back, which spans from shoulder to shoulder on her back. She also has a “Trent” tattoo and a baby footprint on her right foot.

Jones was last seen wearing white shorts, a pink shirt, and black sandals with a bow.

Anyone with information should contact Lt. Dan Boswell at the Heard County Sheriff’s Office at 706-675-3329 or dial 911.

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[Feature Photo: Natalie Jones/Facebook]