Missing Since: 1981-09-12 Location: Topeka, Kansas
Jackie disappeared after going out to play with her step-siblings and other children in the front yard of their home in the 3100 block of southeast Colfax in Topeka, Kansas. Eventually all the other children went inside, leaving her alone. Her family was getting ready to go to a house they were building south of Topeka when they discovered she was missing, at about 4:00 p.m. on September 12, 1981. She was last seen walking away from the Colfax and Golf Park, near southeast 31st and Bryant, about one block east of her home. She was apparently being followed by a man at the time. She has never been heard from again. Authorities did not begin searching for Jackie for four hours after her disappearance was reported. Police picked up a local man that same night, who matched the description of the man seen following Jackie. They questioned him for hours about her disappearance, but ultimately released him without charge. Jackie lived with her parents and four older step-siblings at the time of her disappearance. She had just started kindergarten at Avondale East Elementary School a few days earlier, and was considered a bright child with a large vocabulary for her age. Her mother died in 2007, but her father is still alive. Authorities believe she was most likely abducted, but few clues available in her case. Investigating Agency Topeka Police Department 785-368-9551 Source Information The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Child Protection Education of America Kansas Bureau of Investigation IBM: Missing Children 49 ABC News The Salina Journal NamUs Unsolved in the News The Topeka Capital-Journal The Shreveport Times Updated 7 times since October 12, 2004. Last updated September 13, 2021; details of disappearance updated.