Top Row and Bottom Left: Brianna, circa 1996;
Bottom Right: Age-progression to age 12 (circa 2006)
Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: July 7, 1996 from Fall River, Massachusetts Classification: Family Abduction Date Of Birth: June 12, 1994 Age: 2 years old Height and Weight: 2'9, 25 pounds Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian female. Blonde hair, blue eyes. Ballout has a small mole or birthmark on her lower back. Clothing/Jewelry Description: A shorts set, white socks and sneakers.
Details of Disappearance
Brianna was last seen in Fall River, Massachusetts on July 7, 1996. She was abducted by her father, Samir Ali Ballout, on what was supposed to be a two-day visit. Samir had weekend visitation rights for Brianna at the time he abducted her, but Brianna's mother, Samir's ex-girlfriend Linda Rogers, had custody.Samir has called Rogers several times since Brianna's abduction and sometimes allowed Rogers to speak to the child. Rogers says she heard a female voice speaking Arabic in the background during the calls. In December 1997, Samir told Rogers that Brianna was enrolled in pre-school. He refused to tell the child's whereabouts, however.
A photograph and vital statistics for Samir are posted below this case summary. A Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) warrant for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution was issued for him on October 17, 1996, three months after he abducted his daughter. He also has a Massachusetts state warrant for his arrest for interference with custody.
Investigators believe Samir took his daughter to Lebanon, but Rogers thinks she is still in the United States. Her case remains unsolved.
Samir Ali Ballout
Above: Samir Ali Ballout
Date of Birth: December 26, 1955
Age: 40 years old
Height and Weight: 5'11, 190 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian male. Black hair, brown eyes. Ballout has dental implants. He has a receding hairline and bald spots on the back of his head. Ballout was born in Lebanon and is a citizen of that country. He has family and friends still living in Lebanon. He lived in Queens, New York for about ten years before he disappeared. Ballout speaks Arabic with a Lebanese accent, and English. He has operated Najwa Trading, a business which sold drug paraphernalia and other items in the Fall River area.
Investigating Agency
Source Information
Updated 1 time since October 12, 2004.
Last updated August 16, 2007; picture added, age-progression updated.
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Lakeview, Massachusetts Office
508-947-0625
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
Child Search Ministries
Child Protection Education of America
The South Coast Standard-Times
International Broadcasting Bureau