Left: Isabella, circa 1998
Right: Age-progression to age 12 (circa 2007)
Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: April 13, 1998 from Howell, New Jersey Classification: Family Abduction Date Of Birth: April 27, 1995 Age: 2 years old Height and Weight: 3'6, 31 pounds Distinguishing Characteristics: Hispanic female. Brown hair, hazel eyes. Isabella has a birthmark on her left hip. Clothing/Jewelry Description: A green turtleneck shirt, a yellow dress with flowers, and white shoes.
Details of Disappearance
Isabella was last seen in Howell, New Jersey on April 13, 1998. She was abducted by her non-custodial father, Jair Barbosa. A photograph and vital statistics for Jair are posted below this case summary. He and Isabella's mother never married and they had ended their relationship by the time of the abduction. Isabella's mother had a verbal visitation agreement with Jair. When she arrived to pick up her daughter from his residence, both he and the child were gone.A warrant for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution was issued for Jair on May 4, 1998. Authorities traced him to Uruguay and Brazil before losing track of him. Jair is a Brazilian citizen. Isabella's whereabouts are unknown and her case remains unsolved.
Jair Barbosa
Above: Jair Barbosa
Date of Birth: June 18, 1957
Age: 40 years old
Height and Weight: 5'7, 150 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Hispanic (Brazilian) male. Black hair, green eyes. Jair may use the first name Jay.
Investigating Agency
Source Information
Updated 4 times since October 12, 2004.
Last updated October 16, 2008; details of disappearance updated.
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Howell Township Police Department
732-938-4111
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
New Jersey State Police
The Doe Network