Lisa and her brother Christopher were abducted by their non-custodial mother, Susan Elizabeth Zaharias. Susan had been married to the children's father, Louis Zaharias, for six years and their relationship had many problems. Louis stated Susan was abusing cocaine and behaving "recklessly." On the morning November 20, 1987, the couple had a serious verbal argument and Louis left the house to cool off. Later that day, while he was at work, Susan absconded with the two children. Her relatives may have helped her in her flight.

A photograph and vital statistics for Susan are posted below this case summary. A felony warrant for crimes against persons was issued for her on February 17, 1988. She also has a warrant out for her arrest for custodial interference. Lisa, Christopher and Susan were known to have stayed with a family in Pennsylvania for a time after the children's abductions, and they were sighted in Detroit, Michigan in 1988. There have been reported sightings of Susan alone in Michigan and Oklahoma, but their current whereabouts are unknown.

Christopher, Lisa and Susan may be traveling in a black 1986 Toyota 4-Runner with the license plate number 2X85442. Susan's parents live in in Oklahoma and she may be in that state; other relatives live in California and Pennsylvania. She could also be in Sarina, Michigan; in Lake Elsinore, California; Orange County, California; northern California or Canada. The children's cases remain unsolved.