Case Details
- Photo URLs:
-
- Missing Since:
- Missing Since 09/05/1944
- Missing From:
- Missing From Paynesville, Minnesota
- Classification:
- Classification Endangered Missing
- Gender:
- Male
- Race:
- Race White
- Date of Birth:
- Date of Birth 02/15/1938 (86)
- Age:
- Age 6 years old
- Height and Weight:
- Height and Weight 3’0, 45 pounds
- Clothing/Jewelry Description:
- Clothing/Jewelry Description A slightly faded navy blue and white sailor suit a square-cut collar that had three stripes, three stripes on each sleeve at the wrist, high front pockets, long pants buttoned to the waist, brown short socks, new black shoes with a seam from toe to instep, and no undergarments. One of the buttons in the back of the suit was missing and been replaced with a safety pin.
- Distinguishing Characteristics:
- Distinguishing Characteristics Caucasian male. Blond hair, blue eyes. Victor’s nickname is Jackie and most accounts refer to him by that name. He has a one-inch scar on the back of his head. At the time of his disappearance, he had a newly healed cut on the inside of his thumb and a fresh scratch on his right cheek below his eye.
- Details of Disappearance:
- On his first day of school in Paynesville, Minnesota (September 5, 1944), six-year-old Jackie Theel was sent home alone at lunchtime. His teacher, despite a note saying his brother would pick him up, sent him home without ensuring his safe arrival. Jackie never made it.
Bloodhounds followed his trail from near his home to the Crow River, then west to Highway 23, where the trail ended. Witnesses reported seeing a boy matching Jackie’s description near the highway, but it’s unclear if it was him.
Jackie was described as a slower-developing child, but not severely disabled. His family believes he got lost and was picked up by someone. There was speculation that a soldier might have taken him to avoid military service, as having dependents could lead to discharge at that time.
Years later, one of Jackie’s teachers claimed to see a man resembling him in California, saying he was adopted. However, this was never confirmed.
Jackie’s family, including a brother and sister, still search for him, but police records from the time of his disappearance are lost. His case remains unsolved, and he’s never been declared legally dead.
- Agency:
- Stearns County Sheriff’s Office 320-259-3700
- Source Links:
This person was missing Missing Since 09/05/1944