Blockett was taken from his family's residence in Newport News, Virginia under false pretenses on December 11, 1980. His abductor called herself Marie Kelly and told Blockett's mother the Department of Social Services was sponsoring a function for children at Riverside Regional Medical Center. The woman convinced Blockett's mother to let her take Blockett and his two-year-old brother.

Later that afternoon, Blockett's brother was found wandering alone at a shopping center near Old Mallory Road in Hampton, Virginia. He had a piece of paper in his pocket with his name and address on it, and the police returned him to his mother. There was no indication of Blockett's whereabouts, however, and he has never been seen again. The Department of Social Services didn't have a social worker of Kelly's description working for them. Several days after Blockett's abduction, authorities found a diaper bag and a leather folder near a parkway in Yorktown, Virginia. They believe the items belonged to the abductor.

The abductor is described as African-American, with a medium complexion and a heavy build. A sketch of her is posted below. She's never been identified, and despite extensive searches there has been no sign of Blockett since 1980.

Above: Composite sketch of Blockett's abductor