Missing Since: December 20, 1991 from Good Thunder, Minnesota
Classification: Lost/Injured Missing
Age: 2 years old
Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian male.
Clothing/Jewelry Description: A dark blue snowsuit and winter boots.
Details of Disappearance
Jansen was last seen inside his family's Good Thunder, Minnesota apartment. Both parents thought he was with the other one. He apparently wandered outside near the Maple River. Searchers later found Jansen's mittens, a thread from his jeans, and boot-tracks leading out onto the ice of the river towards a channel of open water in the middle. The tracks disappeared then, and it is believed Jansen fell into the water and drowned. The river was about four to five feet deep in December 1991. His body was never recovered, but a memorial service for him was held three months after his disappearance.
In October 2003, a man inspired by a television crime show went looking near the river, which was at unusually low levels, for Jansen's remains. He found what appeared to be a small child's femur and turned it in to authorities. The discovery of the bone resulted in a fresh search of the area. A child's winter boot that matched Jansen's and a piece of material believed to be from the child's snowsuit were found. The "femur" turned out to be an animal bone. Nonetheless, the search is continuing and investigators still hope to recover Jansen's remains.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Blue Earth County Sheriff's Office
507-387-8711
