Surge in Missing Children Alarms North Dakota

In just 17 days, nearly a dozen children and teenagers went missing in North Dakota—an unusually high number for one state in such a short period.

According to the state Attorney General’s registry, 12 juveniles have been reported missing since late July. As of mid-August, nine remain unaccounted for. The most recent cases were logged on August 17, PEOPLE reported.

A Rare Spike

While young people go missing across the U.S., experts say it is rare for a smaller state like North Dakota to see so many cases clustered together. Authorities believe the disappearances are unrelated but admit the surge is “concerning.”

Who’s Missing?

InForum identified the missing children and teens:

• Dashira Chapple, 14 – last seen in Fargo on July 29

• Camila Naara Juarez Perez, 9 – last seen in Williston on August 3

• Maddison Mickaila Finch, 16 – last seen in Grand Forks County on August 9

• Angel Marquece Peltier, 15 – last seen in Fargo on August 10

• Mariah Alexandria Gorneau, 19 – last seen in Mandan

• Adrian Skye Spies, 14 – last seen in Fargo on August 11

• Abbigail Louise Compeau, 16 – last seen in Grand Forks on August 12

• Anaiese Dachelle Weems, 3 – last seen in Minot on August 13

• Xiyan Oka, 16 – last seen in Ward County on August 13

• Xoey Iceman, 16 – last seen in Ward County on August 13

• Tayvin Fox, 15 – last seen in Ward County on August 13

“That feels like a lot when you say it out loud,” said Steven Harstad, chief agent with the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation. He emphasized that investigators have found no links between the cases, though the sharp rise is troubling.

Public Help Needed

The #FargoPD is asking the public for assistance in locating Angel Peltier, 15, last seen on August 10.

Authorities note the actual number of missing children could be higher. Cases classified as runaways do not appear in the state’s registry. Harstad explained that families often don’t report repeat runaways, assuming they will return.

“A lot of times, a runaway isn’t even reported because they’ve come back before,” he said. “But even if a child ran away 20 times, the 21st time could put them in serious danger.”

Disproportionate Impact on Indigenous Communities

So far in 2025, 30 people have been reported missing in North Dakota, including 18 minors, InForum reported. Alarmingly, more than half of the missing youth are Indigenous, highlighting a disproportionate impact on tribal communities.

“You’d think something serious is happening with that many people missing in a small state like North Dakota,” said Prairie Rose Seminole, a Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons advocate. “These are children, loved ones, community members whose absence deeply affects families and neighborhoods.”

Seminole warned against dismissing young people labeled as “runaways.” “Just because a young person ran away doesn’t mean they’re safe,” she said.