Case Details

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This person was missing Missing Since 08/01/2002

Missing Since:

Missing Since 08/01/2002

Missing From:

Missing From Baltimore, Maryland

Classification:

Classification Endangered Missing

Gender:

Male

Race:

Race Black

Date of Birth:

Date of Birth 05/18/1995 (29)

Age:

Age 7 years old

Height and Weight:

Height and Weight 5’3, 120 pounds

Clothing/Jewelry Description:

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Distinguishing Characteristics African-American male. Black hair, brown eyes.

Details of Disappearance:

Garnell, a young boy living in Baltimore with his aunt Belinda Cash, disappeared around August 2002. His great-aunt Trina last saw him playing outside Cash’s house. She planned a visit for Garnell, but went into labor and couldn’t make it. When she tried to reschedule, Cash said she was moving and was unavailable. Garnell was never heard from again. Cash’s new address was fake, and her phone number was disconnected.

Garnell’s parents weren’t involved in his life; his mom was in prison and his dad moved around a lot. Garnell had lived with relatives since he was six. Cash, who didn’t have any children, cared for him informally, but never legally adopted him. He wasn’t in school and had no contact with social services. His father saw him once after Trina’s last visit.

In 2005, Trina learned Cash had moved and said Garnell was on a field trip (which was a lie, as school wasn’t in session and Garnell wasn’t enrolled). Garnell was officially reported missing in July 2005, but the police didn’t investigate until March 2006.

Cash told police she abandoned Garnell at a social services building because she couldn’t care for him anymore, but the building’s staff had no record of this. Neighbors remembered Garnell but hadn’t seen him since 2001. A lie detector test on Cash was mostly inconclusive.

The mystery remains unsolved. Police aren’t sure what happened but are worried about Garnell’s safety and want to find him to ensure he’s okay. They think someone might be caring for him without anyone knowing.

Agency:

Baltimore Police Department

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