Thousands of children go missing in the United States yearly, leaving their families and communities devastated and desperate for answers. While many of these cases remain unsolved, there are stories of hope and resilience – of children who get abducted but ultimately reunite with their families through the tireless efforts of law enforcement and the strength of their loved ones. Here are five cases of solved missing children in the U.S. and the lessons we can learn from them:
Jayme Closs
On October 15, 2018, 13-year-old Jayme Closs was abducted from her home in Barron, Wisconsin, after her parents got brutally murdered. For 88 days, Jayme was held captive by her abductor, 21-year-old Jake Patterson, in a remote cabin in Gordon, Wisconsin.
Despite Patterson’s attempts to conceal Jayme’s identity and location, she eventually escaped and found help from a passerby, who contacted law enforcement. Patterson was arrested soon after and ultimately pleaded guilty to two counts of intentional homicide and one count of kidnapping.
Jayme’s story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Despite the trauma she endured, she was able to find the courage to escape and seek help. And thanks to the tireless efforts of law enforcement and the support of her family and community, she was ultimately reunited with her loved ones.
Elizabeth Smart
In 2002, 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart was abducted from her home in Salt Lake City, Utah, by Brian David Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Barzee. Elizabeth was held captive and subjected to physical and emotional abuse for nine months before law enforcement finally rescued her in March 2003.
Mitchell and Barzee were arrested and ultimately convicted of federal charges related to Elizabeth’s abduction and imprisonment. Elizabeth has since become a vocal advocate for missing and exploited children. She has used her platform to raise awareness and push for stronger laws to protect children from abduction and exploitation.
Elizabeth’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of perseverance and determination in the face of unimaginable adversity. She was able to survive and ultimately thrive, using her experience to make a positive impact on the world.
Shawn Hornbeck
In 2002, 11-year-old Shawn Hornbeck got kidnaped while riding his bike in Richwoods, Missouri. For four years, he was held captive by his abductor, Michael Devlin, who subjected him to physical and emotional abuse and forced him to live under an assumed identity.
In January 2007, Shawn finally got rescued when law enforcement received a phone call from a concerned neighbor. Devlin was arrested and ultimately pleaded guilty to kidnapping and other charges.
Shawn’s story is a testament to the power of community involvement in solving missing children cases. Thanks to the vigilance of his neighbors and the persistence of law enforcement, he could ultimately return home to his family.
Carlina White
In 1987, 19-day-old Carlina White got abducted from a New York City hospital. For 23 years, her parents searched for her relentlessly, never giving up hope that they would one day reunite with their daughter.
In 2011, Carlina, now a young woman, discovered that her true identity had gotten concealed and that the woman she had always known as her mother was her abductor. Thanks to the tenacity of her biological family and law enforcement, Carlina could reclaim her identity and reunite with her parents, who had never stopped searching for her.
Carlina’s story shows us the importance of never giving up hope, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Despite the years that had passed and the odds stacked against her, Carlina found her way back to her family through the sheer force of their love and determination.
Kamiyah Mobley
In 1998, just hours after her birth, Kamiyah Mobley was abducted from a hospital in Jacksonville, Florida. For 18 years, her biological parents searched for her tirelessly. In 2017, their hope came to life when law enforcement received a tip that Kamiyah was living in South Carolina under an assumed identity. Her abductor, Gloria Williams, was arrested and ultimately pleaded guilty to kidnapping charges.
Despite the trauma of being separated from her biological family for many years, Kamiyah has since worked to build relationships with her birth parents and the woman who raised her. Her story is a powerful reminder that even in the darkest circumstances, healing and reconciliation are possible with time and effort.
These five cases of solved missing children in the U.S. are just a few stories of hope and resilience in our world. While you cannot erase the pain and trauma of losing a child to abduction, these stories remind us that there is always hope – hope for answers, hope for healing, and hope for reunification. And through the tireless efforts of law enforcement, the strength of families and communities, and the power of hope, we can continue to work towards a future where every missing child is found and reunited with their loved ones.
Every parent should prepare if their child goes missing. Shop our safety kits here.
No products in the cart.