MI MI - Steven Kraft, 12, Benton Harbor, 15 Feb 2001

[PommyMommy]

DEC 5, 2022

https://www.nbcnews.com/dateline/nine-years-dateline-s-missing-america-188-still-missing-n1301708

On the evening of February 15, 2001, 12-year-old Steven Kraft left his family’s home in Benton Township, Michigan to go outside with two of his dogs. He told his family he’d be home for dinner, but never returned. A few days later, both of the Kraft family dogs returned home, but Steven was still nowhere to be found. Benton Township Chief of Police Brian Smit told Dateline in early 2019 that Steven’s young age combined with a disappearance that happened nearly two decades ago has made it impossible to try to track him. Steven was last known to be wearing a blue-green Charlotte Hornets basketball team jacket, a tan and white striped t-shirt, tan parachute pants, and black boots. In 2022, Detective Mike DenDooven from the Benton Township Police Department informed Dateline that Steven's case is "still an active investigation" and that they are "still looking into leads when they are brought forward to us." Detective. DenDooven asks anyone with tips or information on Steven’s case to please call the Benton Township Police Department Steven Kraft Hotline at (269) 926-8221.

 

[StillDiggin]

Boy last seen walking dogs in Michigan neighborhood still missing 23 years later

A 12-year-old boy who vanished more than 20 years ago while walking his dogs in his Berrien County neighborhood is still missing.

www.clickondetroit.com

 

[Skyblueday32]

This case is very puzzling. It seems to lead to an abuction, footprints showing his movements and then nothing, they disappear, the dogs running loose. My question is did he ever meet up with the friend? It was cold in February, were they supposed to be playing outside with the dogs for hours? What was his relationship like with his parents/dad? It's a close knit community, could a random stranger up to no good see him walking his dogs in the dark? It would be dark by 5pmish in Feb. I feel like there's a missing piece to this puzzle.

 

[Caring1]

 

[cocomod]

I hate cases that have zero evidence of what could have happened. A child just disappears with zero trace. Now, his parents are both dead and there are just no answers? What happened to you Stevie?

 

[Skyblueday32]

I hate cases that have zero evidence of what could have happened. A child just disappears with zero trace. Now, his parents are both dead and there are just no answers? What happened to you Stevie?

Agree! So crazy! I'm still wondering, how were his parents with him? I know it's crazy, but if there was trouble at home, or some sort of abusive behavior in the home it's possible the parents could cover up an "accident ". The only other logical option I believe is if there was a body of water nearby? Maybe he fell through the ice? I know you'd probably see a break or tracks. I wish there was a way to read the police case file. So terribly sad.

 

[Nina Michigan]

Bump for Steven.

 

[PommyMommy]

DEC 29, 2024

FBI Continues Search For Steven Kraft Jr., Missing From Michigan For Over 2 Decades

The FBI is renewing its call for information in the disappearance of Steven Earle Kraft Jr., who vanished from his Benton Harbor, Michigan...

www.tampafp.com

“Everybody knew each other in the community. They were very close and very social,” said Special Agent Trisha Kovac of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office, who has been working on Steven’s case. “He knew a lot of people. He had a lot of relatives. So, he would go door-to-door down on his street. They lived on a dead-end street off of, kind of a well-traveled highway. He would just stop by peoples’ houses, get something to eat, hang out with family or friends. So, Steven was well-known out in the area.”


FBI Continues Search for Steven Kraft Jr., Missing From Michigan For Over 2 Decades

 

[KentuckyFilly79]

Heard about this case on a podcast recently and came here to see what more info I could find or if there were mentions of any documentaries or podcasts that may have covered the case, but aside from what few I had already found podcast-wise, there is nothing else. I really wish the case had and would get some more national attention. I just really feel like someone knows something….

 

[Skyblueday32]

Agree, most missing children knew/know their abuctor or killer. In doing a quick Google search, here are some stats.
Crime statistics have shown that the majority of abduction cases are committed by family members. However, 28 percent of kidnappings are committed by strangers.

As someone posted above, he was well known to the area and street. Has there been any issues/problems with any of the family or friends, parents of friends, neighbors etc. since he has gone missing?

They also mentioned there was a busy road nearby, so there is that 28% chance a stranger drove off the main road and took him, but I'm curious to know if there is any information on family/friends/neighbors on his street or around his neighborhood?

 

[somequestions]

I am still confused by the information in this case. Some stories say he was walking his dogs when he disappeared. The Missing Person's poster in a previous post (104) said his mom was making dinner and he was outside playing with the dogs without a hat and gloves.

If the Missing Person's poster is correct, that helps shed some light on things. I do not think that even with only going for a short walk he would not bring a hat or gloves with him. Since this happened at night, that also made me wonder if he was actually abducted by a stranger who happened to be driving in the area. I think he was abducted by someone who lives in that area.

Based on the information, I think what may have happened is one of the dogs ran away and Steven went after it. I think this makes sense as I do not think he would just go for a walk when he does not know when his mother is going to call him to come inside when dinner is ready.

My opinion about this case is he ended up on someone's property and was probably abducted by that person. I think he may have been calling the dog's name, and someone asked him what he was doing. From what I remember about this case, they did find the dog in the area later. But other than some footprints there does not seem to be any clues in this case.

 

[Atombudd]

Looks like his dad passed away only a week after the 20th anniversary of his disappearance. Only 58, and the obit says he died "unexpectedly" at home. Such a sad case.
Obituary for Steven Earl Kraft | Hutchins Funeral Home

His Mother also passed less than 2 months after Steven's Dad.

Obituary for Chyrille Marie (Rome) Ganczak - Kraft | Hutchins Funeral Home

Share memories & support the family

www.hutchinsfuneral.com

 

[ginestra]

Is it odd he is listed as living on the dad''s obituary and dead under the mom''s? Just a few years apart.

 

[Valiant]

It’s quite possible the mother held out hope he was alive somewhere and that’s why it was written that way in the father’s obit. Then when she passed, other family members who believed differently wrote hers.
You’ll see that split among family where someone is missing. Some believe they are alive others fear they are dead.