Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: February 15, 2001 from Benton Harbor, Michigan Classification: Endangered Missing Date Of Birth: January 1, 1989 Age: 12 years old Height and Weight: 5'1 - 5'2, 95 - 100 pounds Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian male. Light brown hair, green eyes. Kraft has a small red birthmark on the left side of his rib cage. His nickname is Stevie. He may be called "Steven Earl Kraft Jr." by some agencies. Clothing/Jewelry Description: A white, tan and brown-striped shirt, tan parachute pants, an aqua and purple Charlotte Hornets jacket and black Lugz boots.
Details of Disappearance
Kraft was last seen playing with his family's two dogs in the 2100 block of Holly Drive in Benton Harbor, Michigan on February 15, 2001, between seven and eight p.m. He was about half a block away from his residence in the 2100 block of Holly Drive at the time of his disappearance. He has never been heard from again. Kraft's mother was preparing dinner while he was out with their dogs and reported his disappearance afterwards. Temperatures in the area were below freezing and remained very cold over the next several days; Kraft could not have survived for long outdoors without shelter.Kraft's footprints lead past an iced-over pond near his home to Harbor Haven Ministries on Irving Street, one block south of Holly Drive. Late in the evening three days after Kraft's disappearance, his older dog, a German shepherd/chow mix, returned home. The dog apparently led his owners to a nearby pond, but no evidence of Kraft's whereabouts was located in the area. The following day, Kraft's six-month-old German Shepherd puppy was located near Blue Creek, a mile and a half north of Kraft's home.
Kraft completed a five-day suspension from Hull Elementary School shortly before his disappearance. School administrators stated that he defended himself against another student during an altercation. Both boys were suspended. Kraft is described as a good student and the incident marked the first time he was disciplined. He was in the sixth grade at the time of his disappearance. His teachers and classmates stated he was a quiet boy who had few friends. He lived on a dead-end street in Benton Harbor with little traffic, and was familiar with the area. Kraft has relatives living near his home and was well-known to the neighbors as well. His house was torn down in 2005 and his parents have since moved to Hagar Township, Michigan.
Authorities searched four miles of Blue Creek and as well as the pond pond behind Harbor Haven Ministries in May 2001, but failed to produce any evidence of Kraft's whereabouts. Investigators searched another area of woods near the Southwestern Michigan Regional Airport in November 2002, but no evidence was located. In February 2004, Kraft was reportedly seen at Midway Airport in Chicago, Illinois, but the individual sighted turned out to someone else.
Investigators have investigated various theories in Kraft's case, such as that he was abducted or ran away from home. No clues to his whereabouts have been discovered and Kraft's case remains unsolved.
Investigating Agency
Source Information
Updated 3 times since October 12, 2004.
Last updated February 14, 2012; details of disappearance updated.
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Benton Township Police Department
616-926-8221
OR
Federal Bureau Of Investigation
St. Joseph, Michigan Office
313-965-2323
The National Center For Missing and Exploited Children
The Polly Klaas Foundation
WWMT News 3
WNDU-TV 16
The Herald Palladium
The Federal Bureau of Investigation
America's Most Wanted