Long-term Missing Children
Here at our headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, there’s always a light on. And it will stay on until every missing child is home.
At any given time, we’re working on thousands of missing child cases. Unfortunately, too many of those children have been missing for months, years and even decades.
But we remain hopeful. We know these children can come home.
Take Jaycee Dugard. She was recovered after 18 years in captivity.
And the three women – Michelle Knight, Amanda Berry and Gina DeJesus – who were held for years in a Cleveland home before finally escaping.
And the recent news of Jayme Closs, who was held for 6 months before she found an opportunity to escape.
And the list goes on.
When we looked at recoveries of missing children reported to NCMEC between 2014 and 2018, we found some astounding numbers:
- 2,564 children were recovered after being missing for 1 to 5 years.
- 255 children were recovered after being missing for 5 to 10 years.
- 234 children were recovered after being missing for 10 years or more.
At NCMEC, we will never stop searching for a missing child, no matter how long they’ve been gone. To find missing children in your area, search our posters at missingkids.org or check out this interactive map.
Here are just a few cases that still need your help.
9-year-old Stephanie Crane was last seen on Oct. 11, 1993 around 6:00 p.m. According to witnesses, Stephanie was seen walking towards the Challis High School. At the time of her disappearance, Stephanie was described as 4 feet 2 inches tall and weighing approximately 85 pounds. She has blue
eyes and brown hair with a distinctive cowlick on the right side of her hairline. She was last seen wearing maroon sweatpants and a maroon/white striped hooded shirt with the word “GIMME” on the front. If you have any information about Stephanie, please call 1-800-THE-LOST or the Custer County Sheriff’s Office at 1-208-879-2232.
6-year-old Jesus De Le Cruz was last seen on Sept. 28, 1996 in Lynn, Massachusetts. He is believed to have been walking down Park Street around the time he disappeared. He has not been seen or heard from since. Around the time of his disappearance, Jesus was described as 4 feet 6 inches tall and weighing approximately 60 pounds. He has brown eyes and brown hair. Jesus has a scar above his left eye, a birthmark on his left calf and a birthmark on the left side of his forehead. He also has his left ear pierced. If you have any information about Jesus, please call 1-800-THE-LOST, the Lynn Police Department at 781-595-2000 or your local FBI.
3-year-old Reuben Blackwell was last seen on May 6, 1996 in Clinton, Maryland. Reuben was allegedly abducted by his father, Reuben Blackwell. According to law enforcement, Reuben’s father made threats to harm Reuben and himself. A federal warrant for Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution was issued for his father on Sept. 22, 2000; however; Reuben, who may go by the first name “Bennett,” has still not been located. During the time of his disappearance, Reuben was 3 feet tall and weighed approximately 36 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. If you have any information about Reuben, please call 1-800-THE-LOST, the Prince George’s County Police Department at 301-868-8773 or your local FBI.
Kaylah Hunter and Kristian Justice
6-year-old Kaylah Hunter and her 6-month-old brother, Kristian Justice, went missing from their home in Detroit, Michigan on May 24, 2014. The children were last seen in the company of their mother; however, their mother has since been found deceased. Kaylah and Kristian may be traveling in a 2004 burgundy 4-door Chevrolet Impala with Michigan plates CCR1286. During the time of their disappearance, Kaylah was described as 4 feet 5 inches and weighing approximately 65 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. Kristian was described as 2 feet tall and approximately 17 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. If you have any information about Kaylah and Kristian, please call 1-800-THE-LOST or the Detroit Police Department at 313-596-5600.