Above: Christopher Dansby in 1989 (left) and an age-progressed image to 27, circa 2014 (right)

Christopher Milton Dansby

Last seen in New York City, New York, on May 18, 1989

Vital statistics: Black male. Born on March 30, 1987. Black hair, brown eyes. He has a figure eight shaped birthmark on his neck. Last seen wearing a blue jacket, a floral print shirt, blue jeans and green and white sneakers. Was two at the time.

Circumstances: He was last seen in a park on 114th Street and Lenox Avenue around seven in the evening. He was last seen with two children. Classified as a Non-Family Abduction.

Theories: Christopher Dansby’s case is similar to most disappearances of toddlers. While a toddler is less likely to be desired by one who abducts in search of a child, they are perhaps more likely to be victimized by a black-market adoption dealer. While in Dansby's case the theory that he and another child, Shane Walker, were both taken by the same suspects was ruled out officially, the odds point towards a possible connection. Dansby and Walker lived in the same building, and were reportedly seen with the same children prior to vanishing. Two other young African-American children, Andre Bryant and Carlina White also vanished from the same area during the span of two years. Given the facts as we know them, we should not rule out the possibility of a connection. It may be our best chance of finding the victims. (Notably, a large amount of toddlers vanished in the mid to late eighties in the Northwestern United States, including Wallace Guidroz and Megan Ginevicz. Whether the disappearances are connected remains unknown, but the possibility remains open.) Sadly, as long as there are people willing to make a quick buck, there are likely to be cases like Dansby's. All we can do is search for the lost, and find those responsible.

Update: Carlina White has been found alive, and if her supposed "mother" is not her abductor, the adoption ring theory should be checked out.

If you have any information on Dansby's whereabouts, please e-mail For the Lost at this address. Or you may contact the New York City Police Dept. at 212-694-7781. All information sent by e-mail will be kept confidential.


Information used to compile this case file comes from the following resources:
The National Center For Missing and Exploited Children
The Charley Project
The Doe Network
New York City Police
NamUs National Missing Persons Data System
CNN
Child Protection Education Of America (site now defunct)

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