Camilla Jessen
Authorities say the cases are not connected, but the spike has raised red flags across the state.
In just over two weeks, North Dakota has reported nearly a dozen children and teens missing.
Sharp Rise in Missing Youth Cases
North Dakota is grappling with an alarming rise in missing youth cases, with nearly a dozen children and teenagers reported missing in just 17 days.
According to the state Attorney General’s Office, 12 minors have disappeared since late July, and nine remain unaccounted for as of mid-August.
The most recent reports were filed on August 17, as confirmed by PEOPLE magazine.
Experts Say the Spike Is Rare
While child disappearances are not uncommon across the U.S., experts say this sudden cluster is highly unusual for a state the size of North Dakota.
Steven Harstad, chief agent with the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation, admitted the uptick is “concerning.”
“That feels like a lot when you say it out loud,” Harstad told InForum.
No Connection
Authorities have not found evidence linking the cases, but they are continuing to investigate them individually.
Who’s Missing?
A closer look by InForum revealed the following individuals are among those currently missing:
- Dashira Chapple, 14 – Last seen in Fargo on July 29
- Camila Naara Juarez Perez, 9 – Williston, August 3
- Maddison Mickaila Finch, 16 – Grand Forks County, August 9
- Angel Marquece Peltier, 15 – Fargo, August 10
- Mariah Alexandria Gorneau, 19 – Mandan
- Adrian Skye Spies, 14 – Fargo, August 11
- Abbigail Louise Compeau, 16 – Grand Forks, August 12
- Anaiese Dachelle Weems, 3 – Minot, August 13
- Xiyan Oka, 16, Xoey Iceman, 16, and Tayvin Fox, 15 – Ward County, August 13
Suspected Runaways
A closer look at the registry by InForum shows the missing range in age from toddlers to young adults.
Some of the cases are being treated as suspected runaways, but officials urge that this doesn’t mean the teens are safe.
Underreported and Overlooked
Another concern is underreporting. Children who run away frequently are sometimes not reported missing again, which could mean the real number of missing youth is even higher.
“Even if that child has run away 20 times, the 21st time might be the time they’ve gotten into a bad situation,” Harstad warned.
Additionally, cases listed as runaways do not appear on the state’s public registry, potentially obscuring the scale of the issue.
Indigenous Communities Disproportionately Affected
The trend has drawn the attention of advocates like Prairie Rose Seminole, who works with Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) cases.
“These are children, these are loved ones; they’re community members whose absence I’m sure is deeply felt by families and communities,” Seminole told InForum.
She emphasized that being labeled a runaway does not mean a child is safe: “Just because a young person ran away doesn’t mean they’re safe.”
A Call for Awareness
As of mid-August, North Dakota has recorded 30 total missing persons in 2025, with 18 of them minors, InForum reports.
While authorities say there’s no evidence of foul play or organized abduction, the sharp rise in youth disappearances is prompting renewed calls for awareness, better reporting practices, and stronger support systems, especially in vulnerable communities.
Public Help Needed
Local police departments, including #FargoPD, have issued public appeals for assistance.
Angel Peltier, 15, is one of several teens who remain missing, with authorities encouraging anyone with information to come forward.
