2 days ago
Have you seen them? Texas children that went missing between 1980-1985
TYLER, Texas (KETK)– According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), 12 Texas children are still missing from between the years 1980 to 1985.
These missing children haven't been seen or heard from for over 39 years, meaning many of them would be elderly if found in 2025.
Have you seen them? Texas children that have been missing, unidentified for over 45 years
Each week, KETK news will shine a light on missing children in Texas, helping keep their names and faces in the public's eye and their stories alive. We have complied a list of unsolved missing person cases across Texas from 1980 to 1985:
Missing since: May 14, 1980 in Alvin
Contact: Brazoria County Sherriff's Office at 979-849-2441
Age now: 62
According to the Doe Network, at 17-years-old Jones was set to meet her sister in Houston to give her a ride home but never arrived and hasn't been seen since. She drove a green Chevy Chevelle and the vehicle has also never been found.
Missing since: Sept. 1, 1982 in Houston
Contact: Houston Police Department at 713-884-3131
Age now: 55
Melendez went missing at 13-years-old in Houston but few details are available in this case.
Missing since: March 25, 1983 in Kosse
Contact: Limestone County Sheriff's Office at 254-729-3278
Age now: 44
Carroll was last seen near her family's home at 2-years-old in Kossee. She was wearing a blue turtleneck sweater, brown coveralls and red tennis shoes.
Missing since: April 27, 1983 in El Paso
Contact: El Paso Police Department at 915-832-4400
Age now: 56
The Doe Network said Herrera was last seen at 14-years-old walking to Eastwood Heights Elementary School. He might have traveled to Mexico with a man in a silver and green 1977 Cadillac sedan but the man and sedan have seen been found. Foul play is suspected in this case.
Missing since: June 7, 1983 in Center
Contact: Shelby County Sheriff's Office at 936-598-5601
Age now: 43
Around 8 p.m., one-year-old Williams went missing from Center while visiting her paternal grandparents at their home half a mile down a dirt road off Highway 7.
VANISHED: Tanya Michelle Williams
Investigators could find no evidence that Williams wandered away from her grandparent's house and they believe she was abducted.
Missing since: Oct. 26, 1983 in Santa Fe
Contact: Santa Fe Police Department at 409-925-8901
Age now: 56
Ramber was last seen at her family's home at 14-years-old in 1983. After officers investigated, they found the door to the house open and biscuits baking in the oven while Rambler's purse and coat were still inside the home.
Missing since: Dec. 26, 1983 in Dallas
Contact: Dallas Police Department at 214-744-4444
Age now: 43
Two-year-old Crum was last seen at 9:45 a.m. inside her mom's boyfriend's pickup truck in front of McDonald's Grocery. NCMEC said the boyfriend left Crum in the truck while he went to do an errand and when he returned, Crum was gone.
Missing since: Jan. 5, 1984 in Austin
Contact: Austin Police Department at 512-974-2000
Age now: 43
Who is on Texas' 10 Most Wanted Fugitive List?
Watkins was last seen in Austin at two-years-old in a white pullover short-sleeve shirt, red sweatpants and white tennis shoes with Velcro fasteners. Foul play is suspected.
Missing since: Jan. 10, 1985 in Houston
Contact: Houston Police Department at 713-884-3131
Age now: 45 and 47
Five-year-old Pamela and six-year-old Michael were last seen walking home from Betsy Ross Elementary School in northeast Houston on Jan. 10, 1985.
Missing since: July 14, 1985 in Temple
Contact: Temple Police Department at 254-298-5500
Age now: 51
11-year-old Gandara was last seen about two blocks away from her grandmother's home walking back to her own home at the time.
'Gandara was allegedly last seen in a pickup with a white male and white female,' the Doe Network said. 'The pickup's hood, front fender and bed were red and white in color; the doors were blue and white; and the top was white. The pickup was dented, dirty and 'junky' looking.'
Missing since: Oct., 5 1985 in Alta Loma
Contact: Galveston County Sheriff's Office at 409-766-2322
Age now: 57
According to the Doe Network, 17-year-old Thomas was last seen leaving her home to go meet some friends and then go to a Galveston Island nightclub.
LIST: 20 Tyler cold homicide cases police are still trying to solve
Two days later she was reported missing by her family and officers believe she might have been kidnapped and killed because she had served as a police informant in a drug bust, the nonprofit said.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
