Our Porch Light Stays On Until All Missing Kids Come Home

Most missing children are found quickly. But sometimes, decades pass without answers leaving loved ones heartbroken. For many of these families, time is frozen. Their child’s room remains untouched. Familiar phone numbers are purposely kept for decades. Many families even leave their porch lights on in hopes their child will find their way back home.

That porch light has become a symbol of hope at NCMEC. At our headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, we have our own light shining for these families.

Today, we’re launching a new blog series that highlights our older cases. Do you hold the clue to solving a case, or could you be the link to bringing a missing child home?

Jennifer at age 11 and an age progression of what Jennifer may look like today at 48 years old.

Jennifer Martin was 11 years old when she disappeared from her neighborhood in Reno, Nevada. Her family hopes a new image created by a forensic artist at NCMEC can help bring them answers.

On June 28, 1987, Jennifer was at home with her brother. The siblings lived with their mother and father on Surge Street in Lemmon Valley, Nevada. According to her brother, Charles, Jennifer walked to the 7-11 convenience store on the corner of their street. It was 3 p.m. in the afternoon. The store clerk told police he remembers Jennifer entering the store and giving her change for her purchase.

“She bought a soda and a candy bar,” Jennifer's sister, Colleen, told NCMEC. “She left the store, walked around the corner and was never seen again.”

The 7-11 and a search party. Credit: KTVN Reno, Nevada.

Colleen said the Washoe County Sheriff’s office launched a search. They searched with cars, horses and even ATVs, but Jennifer was never found.

“She was a little tiny 11-year-old who only weighed about 46 pounds wearing a purple sweater,” said Colleen. “We were unable to find anyone who would admit to seeing anything. I don't know how a little girl can disappear off the face of the earth for 37 years.”

Police said there were reports of a small white pick-up truck speeding away from the 7-11 and across the field behind the store. Neither the car nor the occupants were ever located. After more than three decades, Colleen is still hoping that someone comes forward with answers.

“This has been unbelievably painful for me and our entire family. It's a pain that never goes away.”

Colleen has a message for her sister: “I would just like to say to her, Jennifer, I love you so much, you are my heart, and I will never stop looking for you. I have the same phone number I had when you were taken and I live in the same place, just in case you are able, somehow, to reach out to me.”                                     

Jennifer has two hairline scars under her chin and a star-shaped scar on her upper right arm. The NCMEC age progression image shows what she may look like today at 48 years old. If you have any information about Jennifer Martin’s disappearance, please call NCMEC at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800- 843-5678). You can also view Jennifer’s missing poster here: https://www.missingkids.org/poster/ncmc/601816/mainposter.

You can learn more about long-term missing cases and what you can do to help here: https://www.missingkids.org/theissues/longtermmissing.

View our interactive map: https://ncmec.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=504833a14fcb42198d67a2c53fcbc96e.