Shawn was last seen on December 8, 2002 in Wilmington, Delaware. He had been on a weekend visitation with his father, Truman White. A photograph of Truman is posted below this case summary. On December 9, Truman went to the apartment of Shawn's mother, Tonya Graham. He did not have the baby. He told her a woman would come by later and bring Shawn, but two hours later when no one had appeared, Truman and Graham argued about it and he stabbed her three times in the neck. Truman fled the apartment before the police arrived and Graham was hospitalized for her wounds. She survived.

Truman turned himself into police to face charges the next day. He still did not have Shawn and refused to say where he was. Police originally charged him with assault for his attack on Graham, but later upgraded the charges to attempted murder. Truman pleaded guilty to assault, possession of a deadly weapon during a felony and endangering the welfare of a child. He was sentenced to twelve years in prison and seven years of probation after his release.

Police suspect foul play was involved in Shawn's disappearance. They have searched Truman's home, his boat, and a landfill for the baby's remains, but have turned up no evidence thus far. Truman continues to refuse to tell what happened to Shawn; he claims Graham knows the child's whereabouts. Shawn's case remains unsolved.

Above: Truman White