Leave the Light On: Keeping the Search Alive

“Our Porch Light Stays On Until All Missing Children Come Home” is NCMEC's ongoing blog series that highlights some of our older cases. Do you hold the clue to solving a case, or could you be the link to bringing a missing child home?

Here is a link to other long-term missing cases we have highlighted: Our Porch Light Stays On Until All Missing Kids Come Home.

Kattie Talbert was just 16 when she vanished from her home in Klamath County, Oregon, on May 1, 1998. Her sister, Susie, is now hoping that a new age-progression image, created by a forensic artist at NCMEC, might bring fresh leads in the search for Kattie.

Kattie was the oldest of five siblings and a good student at Mazama High School. At the time of her disappearance, she was living with her aunt and uncle. On that May afternoon, police say Kattie packed a few of her belongings and left her uncle’s house to meet up with a boy near the Dairy Queen on East Main Street. She was never seen again. Now, 25 years later, Kattie’s sister, Susie, is still searching for answers.

“When we were kids, I looked up to Kattie and wanted to be just like her,” said Susie. “She was funny, kind-hearted, and an incredible sister and friend. Since she went missing, there’s been a hole in my heart that can’t be filled. I miss you and love you, Kattie. And I always will.”

View Kattie’s missing poster here: https://www.missingkids.org/poster/NCMC/1259519/1.

Anthony Allen disappeared 46 years ago from Fort Smith, Arkansas. His family has never stopped searching for him, holding onto hope that one day he will be found. His sister, Leslie Barton, said her family will never give up looking for him.

When Anthony vanished in October 1978, he was a sophomore at Southside High School. Police say that the 16-year-old had left his family’s home to stay with a group of friends in Cedarville, 20 miles away from his home. While it was common for him to spend time with friends, he always returned home. This time, he didn’t.

Over the years, the Allen family has heard various stories about Anthony’s disappearance. One account suggested he might have traveled to Hartshorne, Oklahoma, but police were unable to confirm it. There were also reported sightings of him in Fort Smith over the years, but none were verified.

Anthony’s sister, Leslie, describes him as smart and independent, and someone who cared about his family. She does not believe he would walk away from his loved ones and never contact them.

View Anthony’s missing poster here: https://www.missingkids.org/poster/NCMC/1006737/1.

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If you have any information about any of these cases, please call NCMEC at 1-800-843-5678. You can remain anonymous.

You can learn more about long-term missing cases and what you can do to help, click here: https://www.missingkids.org/theissues/longtermmissing.

View NCMEC’s long-term missing and unidentified child cases in your area: https://ncmec.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=504833a14fcb42198d67a2c53fcbc96e.