WORRYING UPDATE Fans LEFT CONFUSED As Sheinelle Jones REMAINS OFF Today Show For WEEKS And Co-Hosts FINALLY SPEAK OUT With TOUCHING WORDS

Sheinelle Jones has been away from the Today Show since December
TV presenter Al Roker has said he is “praying” for Sheinelle Jones as she remains absent from the Today Show.

During the NBC morning show’s 3rd Hour on Friday, April 11, Al, Craig Melvin and Dylan Dreyer were broadcasting aboard the new MSC World America cruise ship alongside Access Hollywood guest correspondent Emily Orozco. While hosting the show from the port of Miami, Florida, Emily asked her co-stars for an update on Sheinelle, 46, who has been absent since December 18.

She said, “Have you guys been in touch with Sheinelle? We miss her, we hope she’s doing well.” Craig, 45, replied, “Just talked to her a couple of days ago, as you know. She’s taking some time to be with her family.”

He continued, “We talk to her all the time and we love our girl. It’s been nice to see how much everyone else loves her too.” Al, 70, then said in an emotional tone, “Exactly. We’re just praying for her.” And Dylan, 43, shared, “She misses being here, you know, she wishes she was here with us but she’s doing what she needs to do and she’ll be back.”

The TV presenters gave an update on their co-host(Image: TODAY)
Following weeks of speculation about the reasons why she was away from the show, Sheinelle shared an update on Instagram earlier this year to explain that she was spending time with her family. She wrote, “Hi everybody … I sincerely appreciate all of you who have reached out while I’ve been absent from the show. I want to share with you that I’m taking time to deal with a family health matter.

“It’s not lost on me how lucky I am to have not only the support of my Today show family, but also to all of you. Your kindness means so much to me. I’ll see you soon. Love, Sheinelle.”

The post was also referenced on the main show with Craig and Savannah Guthrie, who said, “We want to share some news about our friend Sheinelle. She posted to Instagram this morning, letting everyone know she has been taking some time off to deal with a personal family health matter.

Sheinelle is spending time with her family while dealing with a health matter(Image: Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images)

“She thanked everyone for their kindness and their concern about her. We know so many of you have been asking about Sheinelle and missing her, and we miss her too.” Fans expressed their support for the TV host with former host Hoda commenting, “We love you ….. you are being held….. you are family xoxo.” Savannah said, “we love you so. not the same without you. we will see you soon.”

Sheinelle, who often shares personal and work-related updates on social media, hasn’t published anything else since her statement on January 15. The journalist, who is married to consultant Uche Ojeh, shares three children with her husband.

Sheinelle alongside Craig Melvin and Dylan Dreyer (Image: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)
A source close to Sheinelle told People magazine in January that her situation is “serious” but it doesn’t concern the journalist or her children. “Sheinelle appreciates the support she’s received from fans and viewers in her absence,” the source told the outlet. “She’s especially grateful for her tight-knit Today show family and co-hosts, for all their love during a sensitive time.”

The TV anchor has been on the show since 2014 and has worked across all of Today’s programming. In addition to co-hosting 3rd Hour, she also regularly fills in as co-anchor of Today and guest co-hosts Today with Hoda & Jenna – which is now called Today with Jenna & Friends since Hoda Kotb stepped down in January.