February 22, 1985 After all these years, she is still gone, but not forgotten, as her family and friends still pray for her safe return.Today marks the anniversary of the disappearance of 8-year-old Cherrie Ann Mahan. The dark-haired and wide-eyed third-grade student at Winfield Elementary School was dropped off from her school bus along Cornplanter Road in Winfield Township, Cabot, Pennsylvania shortly after 4 o'clock that afternoon. Cherrie never made the 50 feet from her bus stop to her front door, and today, State Police at Butler are still collecting leads that will hopefully bring her home safely someday.
62 comments:
Thank you for posting about Cherrie. Hopefully she can be found soon!
found soon? you are a little late, aren't ya?
Thanks for remembering Cherrie. She is my second cousin and I remember the day my Mom called me to say that Cherrie is missing. A feeling came over me that I can't describe in words. I cried when I saw her picture again on the blob. She was a sweetheart.
Marty O'Brien
This is so sad.
And disrespectful, anonymous comments make it even sadder.
It's not disrespectful....it's being honest...if you are so dilusional as to expect her to just appear out of nowhere after all these years...then I say you are the disrespectful one...disrespecting reality, that is.
I don't know about this case eventhough I grew up in Butler, but the "anonymous/nonanonymous" person is not "honest" just an empty, unfeeling and uncaring person. Apparently he/she has never lost anyone or this person would realize that no matter how many years go by feelings and hope never leave someone who cares. Hopefully, this person never has to find out these feelings as Cherrie's family and friends did.
I really wish trooper Jendeski & the FBI would listen to me. I told them who had that van & who had the little blue car. I remember my husband asking the guy who drove it, " Isn't that your mom's van?" Of course he said no. That mural of the skier was very distinctive. This guys brother drove a "little" blue car. They knew Cherrie very well. Kim Gohn in Kittanning, Pa.
Kim
Hope they start listening to you. I can't believe they aren't getting on this case. I have seen where they keep saying how they wonder what happened and can't wait for a break in the case.
Well here it is Guys.
Listening in Irwin Pa
I was friends with Cherry at the time of her abduction. I still think of her often. I came across this blog while searching for news on her case. I'm glad she is still in everyone's hearts. She was such a happy little girl. I miss her.
I am 38 now. I remember hearing that Cherrie was missing. I remember her to this day. She is alive in those who speak her name, and those who keep her name in their hearts.
I remember seeing a picture of Cherrie as a missing person on my classroom wall in second grade. Her story broke both my heart and my parent's. I am so sad that she has not been found.
I'm 42 and I remember the day Cherrie went missing!! I have never forgotten her!! I still shed tears for her and her family/friends. I wish one of the local stations would do a story on her so no one forgets about her!! God bless Cherrie and her family!
Phyllis
I had nightmares for years about a girl I had never met, we were the same age. As an adult I still think of her and I still pray for her safe return. As a parent now, my heart aches for her Mother. If anyone knows anything PLEASE call. The person or persons responsible for this has hurt more then just her family, please turn yourself in! People that have never met her still weep over her. And for Cherrie's parents, I hope you find your little girl and I am one of many people that never had the pleasure of knowing her, that have been touched by her story. We haven't haven't forgotten her, we still look for her, and we still pray for her safe return.
I was around 9 and living in Widnoon, PA when Cherrie went missing. It was terrifying to me and it is something that has always stayed with me. Now, I live in NC and we had a local girl go missing (Asha Degree) in 2000. To this day, you cannot open the paper, watch tv, or drive along the highway without seeing her picture. It always makes me think of Cherrie and how, in my opinion, the media and the authorities could have done a lot more. Myheart goes out to the Mahan family. Dawn from NC
The person who abducted Cherri worked at or was affiliated with that mine down the street from her home or the RR track that leads to the mine. One does not just happen upon a schoolbus stop at the right time in this mountainous, rural location and find the perfect victim.
They drove by it everyday for months or even years on their way to the mine, waiting for an opportunity. They may have even stopped and talked to Cherri and the other children at this stop before the abduction, to gain their trust.
Kim Gohn in Kittanning, I have some friends in the law enforcement community. Maybe I can ask for help in gettig them to hear your pleas. Its hard for me to understand why they wouldn't listen if you knew the owner of this famous van. I'd love to know more. Sassafrasford@yahoo.com
i hope she is find soon
I guess it's an obvious question, but who took this school photo and were they also investigated? If not the photographer, who else had access/ability to see the children's school photos -- developing the photos, packaging or transporting them...? My impression is that whoever abducted this girl could have been a stranger but they knew someone in the community, even slightly or briefly. Could the person have been a friend/temporary employee/visitor of the photographer or persons who developed, distributed...the photos?
I believe the name of the Van owner should be posted here even if it has to be "anonymous" because it may bring out other connections to other cases! PLEASE post the name!!! I have asked America's Most Wanted to air this story, pray that they do!
yes, let's post the name of most likely an innocent person and destroy them. What if you were the owner of this van and had nothing to do with the case. Can you imagine the ramifications of this?
I have never forgotten about Cherrie.she was abducted on my mother's birthday and even though my mother is gone now, I always think of her. I live in a small town where a child was abducted and murdered and we were able to have the case solved. call the lead investigator at least 3 times per week and bug him about leads.
I have never forgotten about Cherry. I don't understand why there isn't any information about her case online. Is her family active in this investigation? The local news needs to follow-up on this case. Wasn't she the first child to be featured on a milk carton? Why isn't there any information about this case online!!!
There should be so much more information available for people to help!
Today marks another sad milestone. 25 Years! 25 years and we are really no closer to finding out any information on this. Someone out there knows something. I just know it. Alive would be best but any kind of closure would be nice. This story to this day haunts me and I think of it often. Anytime I hear a missing child...I think of Cherrie Ann... Saxonburg, PA (Butler County)
I remember this case well and often still think about it. Several months after this happened I moved half way across the country and even kept watching for the van out here. Someone knows something. Let's just hope they don't take it to their grave with them.
I remember that day so well. I"ll never forget it or Cherrie. So many thoughts and theories going around at the time. This was the start of walking your children to the bus stop and walking back to pick them up off the bus. For us here in the little suburbs, it was an eye opener. As far as "annon" thinking it's too late, two words for you, Jacie Duggard. You never ever, give hope until you have absolute proof. I wouldn't if it was my family.
Karns City, Pa.
I remember as a child hearing about this kidnapping...SO SAD and as a child it I remember feeling , am I next ? Also remember a van driving around with her picture of missing....I hate to say it but if they have not found her now then the inevitable has happened. I often think about this girl and wonder. I am 38 years old now. I wish there was something I could do to help or post online notifications of her picture to get the word out. Everything is internet anymore....You would reach alot more people nowadays.
Still after soo many years, Cherrie is thought of by many of us that grew up around here. We never knew her personally but she has become a part of our lives that we think of and pray for often...
I was surprised to learn her mom moved back to Saxonburg. I do get the impression that she is "active" in the case, because she has a sign about her daughter outside. Saxonburg is a cute little town, but this happened a few miles up Winfield Road in Cabot. It gets a bit scarce that way. Sometimes, in rural areas, the locals tend to "know" things, even if it's just the general gut feeling. I really have to wonder what the unofficial vibe was. Most of the people there are normal, but there are also quite a bit of mile long driveways and dysfunctional country families who haven't had visitors in years. I'm exaggerating a bit but ultimately, I think secrets can run deep. Orrrr, perhaps it was a stranger from elsewhere. Regardless...KIM: How sure are you? If you know something, you absolutely have to push it. Tell any official who would listen. Take out an ad saying you have the info. I woudn't post names on here for legal reasons, but wow. The other guy retired anyway, right? Anyway, I have faith that someday, someone is going to offer some kind of resolve.
I always thought that they would catch her abducter especially after such a detailed description of the van. It surely must be still be so difficult for her family not knowing what happened to her & what she had to endure..
I was a senior in high school when she was taken. I had nightmares. I had dreams. I dreamed about the van being in front of me behind Westmoreland mall with Cherrie in the back window. I will have/never stoped hoping she would be found. This little girl has always been close to my heart! I hear there's a person of interest the police will talk to tonight!! I hope this will be the end of this awful, real life story! Prayers and hugs to her family and friends!!
Do some digging on Facebook. Someone who was on Cherrie's bus said this whole investigation is so focused on the van and car that other vehicles were ignored.
Sad news: Cherrie's uncle has passed away. On the brghter side, before he died, he and the family received word of a possible break in the case. I know this through mutual friends of a few of the Mahans. I was so happy to hear this and even more hopeful when a quick Google search turned up this:
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/valleynewsdispatch/s_717793.html
It's from TODAY!
Nancy Grace from HLN news aired this story tonight. Pa police said that they actually have the closest thing to a break in the case since 1985. PRAY she is still alive!!
I live near Cornplanter Road and was driving from Saxonburg to Boggsville that afternoon. It was snowing and no one else was on that back road until I got to the Mahan's driveway. A truck was stopped on the road and the driver was just sitting there. After the abduction story aired and the van was reported, I assumed this man to be her father looking for her. Some years back her father was on the radio and said he walked down to wait for her when she didn't show. I called in to the station and he said oh, I waited for a while and then went back up and got my vehicle. The time frame seemed off to me as I don't believe on the road that late. Can't remember details after all these years-maybe hypnosis would help.
Someone should look into the past of her grandmothers neighbor who lived almost directly across from her on Tower Rd. Where Cherrie grew up. He is not & was not a good person. He's evil! He has a daughter and x-wife who know's how evil and sick he truly is. The daughter L*&^% lives on 356 & x-wife C@!#$ lives in freeport. How many cases turn out to be a family friend!!
What happened to news report that she may have been found in Michigan? It was on the news for two nights,that they were going to do a DNa test on the girl they thought was Cherrie and her Mother to see if there was a match. Then we don't hear another word. Why is it taking so long to get the results. Was it Cherrie or not? I sure would like to know.
I believe the person who discribed the van was lying.They never found a van with that design.It definately was a sick conspiracy with a child of that innocent name to be turned up abducted.I was her age when it happened and I still have nightmares of her being raped shot and cut to get rid of evidence.I cry for her family and they dont even know.All I can keep saying as I cry today is omg that poor baby.She is in heaven and her killers,not killer,killers are going to burn for centuries.Wisdom
Kim is a big fat liar.Just because her name begins with a K makes her a suspect of attention.People can be so fake and behind closed doors their eating kibbles and bits.I had some this morning.
The killers were Therese and Ben Keil.Alot of the town Butler knows and are scared to admit it.It was a murder to prove to his wife that her private was like a little girl and to prove on the malicious language,Benjamin J. Keil is a Big man.As sick as it sounds it is true and they are still going to church and living regular lives with no remorse.Therese Fogle is responsible for the murder as well as Ben Keil and the hacking they still do in the computer system.Sick Bastards.Ben Keil killed a little girl.No pun intended. Therese you have a real hero don't you.
Oh my God! That's so disturbing. I've lived in Cabot/Butler all my life and I have NEVER heard of anything like that. Were these poeple investegated???
Might want to re visit the parents again. just saying
Please see the following link below. I can put a time and place on the van in question. As I have stated, I have contacted the Pennsylvania State Police and other non-profit missing agencies and have never Recieved a follow-up from any.
http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19753&page=11
I didn't know about this girl's abduction but just tonight, I stumbled across your blog. After earlier just reading this story, and thinking the picture looks so much the same. Please look. If it "anything" I hope the right people find it. If it nothing, I am sorry for the family. Just sad.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/authorities-struggle-id-mystery-woman-article-1.1383957
I hope that they find the people that are responsible for her disappearence. When they do, they should be in jail for a long time.
If I was the owner of the van & was innocent. I wouldn't care if someone posted my name. I would be contacting police myself since I had nothing to hide & new I was innocent.
If I was the van owner & was innocent I would be contacting police myself. I wouldn't care if someone posted my name cuz I wouldn't have anything to hide.
If it was my van I wouldn't care. I would've already contacted police myself to prove I was innocent If I was indeed innocent.
November 22, 2013 from CNN
Tip could be 'crucial' lead in Cherrie Mahan case . . .
Read the article
Kim did the guy that you suspect have the initials CB? I have my suspisions too and just wondered if we think its the same person. I have talked to the FBI also
I distinctly remember when this happened and cannot believe the leads haven't gone anywhere and i believe as they always say it is someone you know...I very well remember when then interviewed the grandmother .. Mother and Step father.. the grand mother said something i will never forget.."Cherrie was just at my house and sitting on the floor was playing kidnap with her Barbie doll" now how many children play kidnap???? there were lot of reruns of the interviews with the mother and step father ( he seemed more upset than the mother)but never seen the interview of the grandmother again..??
I am a true crime writer who is writing a book about children killers. But I have a dedication chapter about unsolved and missing children crimes. One of my subjects is Cherrie Ann and would like to be able to talk to anyone willing to speak with me about her. Thank you in advance for your patience and consideration.
Brandy
I saw that type of van in Fairfax, VA not long after it was on the news. I'm from Greenburg, PA, I was traveling to VA. Once in Fairfax, I saw it. I told the people I was with, they had no idea what I was talking about. I waited until I came home a few days later and called Butler police. I told them that I saw that van. They were very nice, etc., but the case is obviously still unsolved. Best regards to the family. Cherrie haunts me to this day because of seeing that van in Fairfax.
srp611@yahoo.com
Cherrie went to school with my older sister, my father said he saw the van and said a week later he saw it trolling through the trailer park on Leasurville Rd in Cabot and saw two men staring at my sister jumping on her bed through the window. My father said he saw them and told my sister to get away from the window. It haunts me that my father knows more to this story and isn't saying anything.
I have recently developed a renewed interest in this case. I bought the house and property to rear of Grandmothers home not knowing to who it belonged until recently. I can remember in the 80s hearing about and seeing her on the news. I lived in Ohara and know i saw that van in the area. I remember the first time i heard the description thinking i have seen that van. It sure would be nice to see some closure on this the long residents here talk about it like it happened last year. And the family needs to know
What are you talking about? Nobody knows for sure.
ie Jaycee Dugard, Elizabeth Smart...SMH
What school did she attend? I think Butler South but not sure.
I also remember Cherrie's story . I was 15 years old . very sad . I hope she is alive and safe and can come home. If not I hope she didn't suffer. Prayers
I still wonder what happened to her very poor soul and what others were involved. Cherrie's poor family all of these decades and their loss. The family deserves closure!
I was Cherrie's age when she went missing. I remember like it was yesterday.
What about Timothy and James O'Brien, convicted murderers and brothers? Anything ever on them?
I lived just 10 minutes north of where Cherrie went missing and I just turned 10. I remember seeing her on the news that evening. All of my friends and myself were not allowed to play outside by ourselves til about the next summer. We could have swore we saw that van by Herman that summer once, scared the hell out of us and rode our bikes to his house and just stayed in. I really hope ( especially for her moms sake ) that there is a very good break in this case to make some kind of closure for the family.
Winfield elementary
Cherrie grew up a stone’s throw from a pedophile, according to someone over on Websleiths. Wonder who.
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