Missing Since: 1962-12-17 Location: Vineland, New Jersey
William was last seen in the backyard of his family’s residence on Taylor Avenue in Vineland, New Jersey at 1:00 p.m. on December 17, 1962. He was playing with his two-year-old sister and the family dog while his mother watched through the window from inside. William’s mother went into a bedroom to check on her other son and when she came out, her daughter was standing in the doorway, holding a plastic poinsettia. She stated William had given her the plant and a man had taken William. Family and friends launched an immediate search of the neighborhood, but found no sign of the child and called the police after an hour. He has never been heard from again. At the time of his disappearance, he was carrying a dime his mother had given him. William did not have very good verbal skills in 1962. He loved dogs and had been given a puppy shortly before he vanished. Both his parents are now deceased, but his younger sister is still alive and hopes he may yet be found. William’s case is the oldest unsolved disappearance of a child under five in New Jersey state history. He may have been abducted by someone who wanted to raise a child. Investigating Agency Vineland Police Department 856-696-1212 Source Information The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children NamUs The Doe Network The Lebanon Daily News The Daily Journal Fox News Updated 9 times since October 12, 2004. Last updated August 18, 2021; age-progression updated.