State Sees Startling Uptick in Kids Reported Missing

Six more juveniles were newly listed as missing on North Dakota’s public missing-persons database, following a cluster of disappearances reported earlier in August.

Why It Matters

A total of 11 children were reported missing earlier this month in the state, which has a population of less than 800,000, The Forum reported.

North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation Chief Agent Steven Harstad told the outlet that the state is making an effort to encourage families, communities and law enforcement to also treat children who have run away as missing persons.

“There’s no such thing as a runaway, especially when it comes to kids; because of that, we’re seeing more missing persons reports, including those youngsters,” Harstad said.

What To Know

The North Dakota Office of the Attorney General lists six missing juveniles last seen in late August.

Brayden Desjarlais, 16, was last seen on August 21. His case is being investigated by the Minot Police Department.

Kartor Stewart, 16, was last seen on August 24. His case is being investigated by the Grand Forks Police Department.

Elaxander Greywater, 16, was last seen on August 25. His case is being investigated by the Bismarck Police Department.

Ayvary Calbert, 14, was last seen on August 26. Her case is being investigated by the Williston Police Department.

Gabriel Tapia, 13, was last seen on August 27. His case is being investigated by the Williston Police Department.

Jaxton Counts, 14, was last seen on August 27. His case is being investigated by the Bismarck Police Department.

Earlier in August, 11 juveniles had been reported missing, and authorities subsequently located nine of those 11, leaving two unresolved cases, The Forum reported.

Naara Juarez Perez, 9, was last seen on August 3, and her case is being investigated by the Williston Police Department. Angel Peltier, 15, was last seen on August 10, and his case is being investigated by the Fargo Police Department.

Half of the children listed as missing who were last seen this month are Indigenous.

What People Are Saying

North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation Chief Agent Steven Harstad, in comments to The Forum: “I don’t know if it’s a problem we ever fix, because the reasons are so wide-stretched — substance abuse, mental illness, family issues. But the information is getting out there, and the more people that see it is a good thing, because it raises the awareness of the number of kids who are in a bad situation or trying to get out of those situations, or putting themselves in bad situations by leaving.”

Prairie Rose Seminole, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons advocate, in comments to The Forum: “You’d think there was something happening with that many people missing in a small state like North Dakota. These are children, these are loved ones; they’re community members whose absence I’m sure is deeply felt by families and communities.”

What Happens Next

Anyone with information about a child reported missing in North Dakota can contact the associated investigating agency.

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