LaShawnda Patrice Coates
(Photo via NamUs)
Info from The Charley Project:
LaShawnda came to the attention of the Michigan Department of Social Services (DSS) in December 1991, after she got a broken arm and bruises when her father, Byron Ogletree, tried to use her as a shield during a violent argument with her mother, Samora Coates.
The DSS decided neither of her parents were fit and at first placed her with Samora's grandmother, then in foster care. In June, LaShawnda was placed in the care of Ogletree's mother, Barbara Brown, in River Rouge, Michigan.
On August 1, 1991, while Brown was at work and her teenage daughter was babysitting, Ogletree took the baby from the house without permission. Later that day he called Samora and asked her to listen on the phone. She thought she heard him shaking and choking LaShawnda, and called the police, who began looking for Ogletree and the child.
Samora saw him three or four more times afterwards and each time he promised to take her to where LaShawnda was, then went back on his promise. He gave conflicting stories as to what happened and whether the baby was alive or dead.
On September 7, Ogletree was arrested in Detroit for parental kidnapping. LaShawnda wasn't with him and he refused to disclose her whereabouts. After his arrest, he told both Samora and Brown that he'd lost his temper and killed the baby.
The outcome of the parental kidnapping case against Ogletree is unknown. LaShawnda has never been located.
Investigating Agency
Updated 1 time since October 12, 2004. Last updated January 10, 2017; casefile added.
(Photo via NamUs)
Info from The Charley Project:
- Missing Since: 08/01/1991
- Missing From: River Rouge, Michigan
- Classification: Endangered Missing
- Sex: Female
- Race: Black
- Age: 10 months old
- Height and Weight: 2'3, 20 pounds
- Distinguishing Characteristics: African-American female. Black hair, brown eyes.
LaShawnda came to the attention of the Michigan Department of Social Services (DSS) in December 1991, after she got a broken arm and bruises when her father, Byron Ogletree, tried to use her as a shield during a violent argument with her mother, Samora Coates.
The DSS decided neither of her parents were fit and at first placed her with Samora's grandmother, then in foster care. In June, LaShawnda was placed in the care of Ogletree's mother, Barbara Brown, in River Rouge, Michigan.
On August 1, 1991, while Brown was at work and her teenage daughter was babysitting, Ogletree took the baby from the house without permission. Later that day he called Samora and asked her to listen on the phone. She thought she heard him shaking and choking LaShawnda, and called the police, who began looking for Ogletree and the child.
Samora saw him three or four more times afterwards and each time he promised to take her to where LaShawnda was, then went back on his promise. He gave conflicting stories as to what happened and whether the baby was alive or dead.
On September 7, Ogletree was arrested in Detroit for parental kidnapping. LaShawnda wasn't with him and he refused to disclose her whereabouts. After his arrest, he told both Samora and Brown that he'd lost his temper and killed the baby.
The outcome of the parental kidnapping case against Ogletree is unknown. LaShawnda has never been located.
Investigating Agency
- River Rouge Police Deparment 313-842-0069
Updated 1 time since October 12, 2004. Last updated January 10, 2017; casefile added.
