Missing and Exploited Children’s day is May 25
Ahead of National Missing Children’s Day on May 25, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is sharing new video highlighting the critical role the public plays in helping find missing children and how age-progression images continue to generate hope and investigative leads in long-term cases.
As the years pass, missing children grow and change. Age-progressed images help show what a missing child may look like today and can spark a memory from someone who may hold the key to a breaking open a case. In 2025 alone, NCMEC forensic artists created 187 age-progressed images to support investigations nationwide.
NCMEC is also releasing its 2025 Impact Report, highlighting the organization’s ongoing work to help find missing children, support families and assist law enforcement. The report serves as both a record of impact and a reminder that this work remains as urgent and important as ever.
Angeline Hartmann, Director of communications at NCMEC
NMCD Sound Bites on Vimeo
“Our age progression images can play a critical role in the search for a missing child, and we’ve seen time and time again how they can lead to a recovery,” Angeline Hartmann, director of communications at NCMEC said. “We ask everyone to take the time to look closely at these images and share them because you never know if you may be the person who helps bring a child home.”
Louis Zaharias, Father of two missing children:
Father Louis Zaharias Sound Bites on Vimeo
“My children have been gone for almost 40 years, and I can’t get back the years we lost,” said Louis Zaharias. “My children are grown now and may have families of their own, I may even be a grandfather. I would love the chance to know them and be part of their lives. At 72 years old, all I want is a final connection with my children and to close this chapter of my life together. I’m asking the public to look closely at the new age-progressed images, and if anyone has information, please contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.”
Christopher & Lisa Mae Zaharias – AGE PROGRESSED IMAGES
Video highlighting Zaharias age progressed images
Behind every age-progression image is a child whose story is still unfolding, and a family still searching for answers. Throughout May, NCMEC will continue sharing stories of missing children across social media and on its blog.
Additional assets (credit: National Center for Missing & Exploited Children)
BRoll NCMEC Forensic Artist / General Broll
Additional cases: Recent age-progression releases from NCMEC include:
Sara Bushland NEW AGE PROGRESSION
NCMEC Blog Featuring Sara Bushland
Missing from: Spooner, Wisconsin
Missing Age: 15 – Age now: 45
Esmerelda “Kit” Mora NEW AGE PROGRESSION
NCMEC Blog Featuring Esmerelda “Kit” Mora
Missing from: Omak, Washington
Missing Age: 16 – Age now: 21
Arden Pepion – NEW AGE PROGRESSION
NCMEC Blog Featuring Arden Pepion
Missing from: Browning, Montana
Missing Age: 3 – Age now: 8
Mason Roberson NEW AGE PROGRESSION
NCMEC Blog Featuring Mason Roberson
Missing from: Anchorage, Alaska
Missing Age: 16 – Age now: 18
Steven Campbell NEW AGE PROGRESSION
Missing from: El Paso, Texas
Missing Age: 2 – Age now: 17
Michael Davis NEW AGE PROGRESSION
Missing from: Joplin, Missouri
Missing Age: 13 – Age now: 16
Paul Duran NEW AGE PROGRESSION
Missing from: Bakersfield, California
Missing Age: 14 – Age now: 15
Khamya Reddick NEW AGE PROGRESSION
Missing from: Opa Locka, Florida
Missing Age: 15 – Age now: 18
