By Molly Goddard
8:44am PST, Jan 17, 2025
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While sitting beside new co-anchor
Craig Melvin, the 53-year-old read Jones' statement, which she also shared to Instagram.
"Hi everybody … I sincerely appreciate all of you who have reached out while I've been absent from the show," the message explained. "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 to also have all of you. Your kindness means so much to me.
I'll see you soon," she penned before signing off, "Love, Sheinelle ❤️."
"We know so many of you have been asking about Sheinelle and missing her and we miss her, too," Guthrie told viewers. "We'll see you soon."
"Sheinelle, we all love you, and we are so looking forward to having you back," Melvin, 45 — who sat beside the Northwestern University alum during
3rd Hour Today after taking over for
Hoda Kotb — added.
In the comments section of Jones' social media post, she got even more love from her coworkers.
"You are a queen and are LOVED beyond measure! Wrapping our arms around you, always ❤️,"
Jenna Bush Hager wrote.
"We love you so. Not the same without you. we will see you soon ❤️," Guthrie said, while Kotb, 60, added, "We love you ….. you are being held….. you are family xoxo."
According to an insider, the mother-of-three's private matter does not involve her or her kids,
Kayin, 14, or 12-year-old twins,
Clara and
Uche, whom she shares with her husband,
Uche Ojeh. However, the issue is allegedly "serious."
"Sheinelle appreciates the support she's received from fans and viewers in her absence," a source told
People. "She's especially grateful for her tight-knit
Today show family and co-hosts, for all their love during a sensitive time."
Jones began her time at
Today in 2014 as host of
Weekend Today. In January 2019, she was brought on to
3rd Hour Today alongside Melvin,
Al Roker and
Dylan Dreyer. She's often filled in during
Today with Jenna & Friends, formerly known as
Today with Hoda & Jenna.
During her time sitting and chatting every day with her fellow anchors, the television personality has gained valuable wisdom about all aspects of life, especially when it comes to parenting.
"He's a really good father," Jones said in an August 2024 interview with
People about getting to know Roker, 70.
"There are so many times Dylan and I will come in and Craig and we'll be like, 'Oh my gosh, can I tell you what happened?' and this and that, and 'My
kid did this and my kid did that,'" she revealed of their strong bond.
The matriarch's biggest takeaway from learning about her fellow panelists? The beloved weatherman is a big softie when it comes to his children. "Al always says that you cover them with love. Always. Very rarely… I've never heard Al say, 'Oh yeah, you should discipline him,'" Jones gushed.
"He'll be like, 'Oh, it goes by so quickly. You cover him with love.' So, it's one of those things where I just feel so lucky to work with him," she added.
