In just 17 days, nearly a dozen children and teens have gone missing in North Dakota—an unusually high number for one state in such a short time.
Since late July, 12 juveniles have been reported missing, with nine still unaccounted for as of mid-August, according to the state Attorney General’s Office. The latest reports came on August 17, PEOPLE reported.
While youth disappearances happen nationwide, experts say it’s rare for a smaller state like North Dakota to see such a cluster. Authorities believe the cases are unrelated but call the surge “concerning.”
Among the missing:
-
Dashira Chapple, 14 (Fargo)
-
Camila Juarez Perez, 9 (Williston)
-
Maddison Finch, 16 (Grand Forks County)
-
Angel Peltier, 15 (Fargo)
-
Mariah Gorneau, 19 (Mandan)
-
Adrian Spies, 14 (Fargo)
-
Abbigail Compeau, 16 (Grand Forks)
-
Anaiese Weems, 3 (Minot)
-
Xiyan Oka, 16 (Ward County)
-
Xoey Iceman, 16 (Ward County)
-
Tayvin Fox, 15 (Ward County)
Chief investigator Steven Harstad said no connections have been found, but the spike is alarming.
The true number may be higher, as runaway cases often go unreported or aren’t listed in the state database. Harstad warned that repeated runaways are still at risk: “The 21st time might be the one they don’t come back from.”
So far in 2025, 30 people have gone missing in North Dakota—18 of them minors. Over half of those are Indigenous, highlighting the disproportionate impact on tribal communities.
“These are children and loved ones,” said advocate Prairie Rose Seminole. “Their absence is deeply felt.”