IN IN- Hayden Ian lee Manis, 9, reported missing 4.5+ years later, Muncie

[findbushey]

Hayden Ian lee Manis (National Center for Missing & Exploited Children)

Missing Since: January 11, 2020
Missing From: Muncie, IN
Age Now: 9 Years Old
Sex: Male

Hayden was last seen on January 11, 2020.

 

[realanastasia]

Ugh, at first i thought this child might’ve fallen off of the radar, so to speak, when schools (and most of the rest of the world) shut down in early 2020 because of Covid—but January 11 was definitely prior to when shutdowns began. So how is it that he is just now being reported as missing?

 

[Clm79]

Ugh, at first i thought this child might’ve fallen off of the radar, so to speak, when schools (and most of the rest of the world) shut down in early 2020 because of Covid—but January 11 was definitely prior to when shutdowns began. So how is it that he is just now being reported as missing?

From what i have read, the grandfather had custody then the father was given custody in 2020 he cut off family and when family finally got back in contact the boy had been missing since 2020

 

[Caring1]

Hayden is still missing. He has been added to NamUs.

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

By bringing people, information, forensic science and technology together, NamUs helps resolve cases.

www.namus.gov

 

[DS2021]

Are we sure he wasnt reported missing until now?

 

[DoctorRose]

Poor baby.

 

[Unalienable Rights]

Family, police just discovered Muncie boy has been missing 5 years, fear he is dead

The disappearance of Hayden Manis is unusual, because the child has been missing for not just for a few days or weeks or even months.

www.wthr.com

February 5, 2025

Investigators say the disappearance of a 9-year-old boy in Muncie is one of the most disturbing cases they’ve ever seen.

“I can’t ever remember something quite like this,” said Delaware County Prosecutor Eric Hoffman. “It haunts me every day.”

*****
His disappearance came to light only recently, and the mysterious case — now being reported for the first time by 13 Investigates — has shocked and baffled both police and the boy’s own family.

*****
The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office released the following statement to 13 Investigates about the disappearance of Hayden Manis:

"On or about September 5, 2024, the Delaware County Sheriff's Office was made aware of a missing juvenile case. Since that time, we have worked diligently to investigate all leads, execute multiple search warrants, and conduct numerous interviews.
We are working closely with the Delaware County Prosecutor’s Office and remain committed to pursuing every avenue of investigation. Our goal is to bring resolution to this case. We appreciate the continued support from the community and encourage anyone with information to come forward.

If you have any information about this case please contact the Delaware County Sheriff Investigations Division 765-747-7881."

*****
Long article -- see link.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

 

[dalsglen]

Sadly the dad overdosed so unless they find Haydens body there will never be any answers.

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[truthfinder2019]

This is shocking to say the least. This poor child was failed by everyone.
How is this ever possible.
KC case vibes.

ETA from the above video showing the house he was last supposed to be, that was searched by LE, close to a wood and river, this is the house:

3816 E Nanci Ln · Muncie, Indiana

maps.app.goo.gl

 

[Soulmagent]

This is shocking to say the least. This poor child was failed by everyone.
How is this ever possible.
KC case vibes.

I only know , If I ever suspected one of my fams of treating a child like they suspect Hayden was treated , all you guys would be on this forum watching my trial.

 

[truthfinder2019]

Very detailed reporting:

Police search for boy, 9, who disappeared years ago but was just reported missing

Exclusive: The family of Hayden Manis have spoken to The Independent’s Katie Hawkinson about the mystery surrounding his disappearance

www.independent.co.uk

They also searched another home in Muncie, the last place Hayden was known to be living, but several neighbors told 13News that they never saw the boy.

'I've lived here since 2021, and I'm around here all day. I've never seen a little boy running around over there,' said Tracy Heigle, who lives across the street from the house. 'If a little boy was there, I would have seen him.'

Another neighbor said he had seen two young girls, the daughters of Dustin's former girlfriend, playing outside the house - but never a young boy.

Hoffman said several interviews were conducted with the former girlfriend and her father and, according to her father, they both cooperated and knew nothing of Hayden's disappearance.

Nine-year-old who was last seen alive five years ago: 'It's haunting'

Hayden Manis' grandfather is leading the campaign to find his grandson after it emerged the boy hadn't been seen alive since 2019.

www.dailymail.co.uk

If family last saw Hayden at XMas 2019, and in 2021 neighbours claim to have never seen a little boy, well it is clear why police believe he’s gone missing in 2020.

Terrible.

 

[tlcya]

was just reading about this case. very troubling. A chance encounter between two great grandmothers revealed that nobody knew what became of Haydin.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

 

[tlcya]

investigators say they have a verified sighting of Hayden by someone other than his father on January 11, 2020.
BOY, 4, VANISHES 5 YEARS AGO WITHOUT FAMILY REALIZING: WHERE’S HAYDEN

rough timeline:

2016 1 year old Hayden's parents, Dustin Mains and Terry Williams, lose custody of Hayden because of their drug addictions. Paternal grandfather, Gary (PawPaw) Manis, is given custody of Hayden.

2017 or 2018 - a year and a half after PawPaw got custody Dustin completed drug treatment and court order probation and Hayden was returned to him over PawPaw's strenuous objections.

2018 (after Dustin regained custody) through Christmas 2019 - family saw Hayden and Dustin pretty frequently for visits, despite the fact that Gary (PawPaw) and Dustin had fought/argued.

Christmas Eve 2019 Hayden was seen by multiple family members at a gathering. Hayden appeared well and was excited to open gifts.

2020 - 2021 Nobody in the family sees Hayden or Dustin. Dustin responds to text messages claiming all is well, he is just very busy. Turns down repeated invitations to get together with family.

August 2021 He texts family member that he has moved out of town, shortly after that texts Dustin stops responding to family altogether.

2023 family member (aunt Barbara) has continued to reach out occasionally to Dustin and finally receives a response in May of 2023

May 18, 2023 Dustin responds to Barb with "Hey aunt barb I promise on everything all is well i promise uve just been having a lot going on try to work on my family that I am making and what not I appreciate u reaching out and checking but I'm just doing what I promised my mom id do when she was on here death bed and that was look out for what make me happy and doing what ever it may be to keep my self happy I'm doing good and I'm doing right and I'm working on making the family I've alwAy wamted"

???? two great grandmothers bump into one another at the grocery. They discuss Hayden and realize both sides of the family have been given differing stories about where is Hayden. Alarm bells go off as the family sees pieces of the puzzle don't fit. They go to PawPaw who immediately contacts CPS.

September 7 2024 Hayden's mother posts a public post to her FB which is linked in articles. She says her son is missing and her ex claims to no longer have him.

November 2024 - LE locates Dustin but not Hayden. Dustin spins a yarn about how CPS came to his door in 2022 and took Hayden from him to return to Hayden's mother. No evidence or record supports this claim. During a traffic stop Dustin was found to be in possession of both heroin and meth and he was arrested.

December 15 2024 four days after being bonded out of jail by one of his grandmothers Dustin dies of a drug overdose.

Two prior residences of Dustin Manis have been investigated but no leads came of it. One of those residences was one he shared with an ex girlfriend and her children. Hayden was reported to have lived there with the couple and her children. She has since moved out of state. LE says she is cooperating with their investigation.

Sources:
Family, police just discovered Muncie boy has been missing 5 years, fear he is dead

Disappearance of Muncie boy to be featured on 'Crime Stories with Nancy Grace'

Mystery swirls around Indiana boy who vanished 5 years ago —without family realizing

Police search for boy, 9, who disappeared years ago but was just reported missing

 

[tlcya]

DBM wrong thread

 

[tlcya]

$1,000.00 crime stopper reward for info on Hayden. Given Dustin's lifestyle, perhaps that small amount will be enough to induce some of his associates to come out of the woodwork with info.
Reward being offered in disappearance of Hayden Manis of Muncie

Disappearance of Muncie boy to be featured on 'Crime Stories with Nancy Grace'

https://fox59.com/news/1000-reward-offered-for-location-of-muncie-boy-missing-for-5-years/

 

[legalmomma]

Reward being offered in disappearance of Hayden Manis of Muncie

Muncie Crime Stoppers posted a $1,000 reward for information that "directly leads to the whereabouts and discovery of Hayden Manis."

www.wthr.com

MUNCIE, Ind. — A reward is now being offered in the disappearance of a 9-year-old boy in Muncie.
Muncie Crime Stoppers posted a $1,000 reward for information that "directly leads to the whereabouts and discovery of Hayden Manis." Crime Stoppers said the request for information came from the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office and the Muncie Police Department.
...

How to report tips about Hayden​

Hayden Manis was just recently added to a national registry of missing and exploited children. He would now be nearly 10 years old.
If you have information about Hayden or his disappearance, please contact the Delaware County Sheriff’s Investigations Division at 765-747-7881.
To reach Muncie Crime Stoppers, call 765-286-4050. You can remain anonymous.
To read the full 13 Investigates story on Hayden, click here.

 

[INfisherman]

Ugh. Just sickening. Was mouthing the word meth when I was reading @tlcya ‘s timeline of events & around the 2023 mark.

 

[tlcya]

Ugh. Just sickening. Was mouthing the word meth when I was reading @tlcya ‘s timeline of events & around the 2023 mark.

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the reason both parents lost custody when he was 1 year old was that they were found in a hotel room with heroin in open view and within reach of the little guy

Man I absolutely hate states that over emphasize (MOO) reunification. IMO Dustin should never had gotten his son back so easily and there should have been a longer and more frequent period of follow up, check ins after he did.

Little man might not be missing now had that reunification been handled differently.