Steven Earl Kraft, Jr. disappeared in Benton Charter Township when he was 12 years old two decades ago, and the nationwide search to find him continues to this day.
Benton Township Police Chief Brian Smit says that next Monday, February 15, 2021 will mark exactly 20 years to the day since Kraft went missing from his Benton Township home.
It was the following morning, February 16th in 2001 that the Benton Charter Township Police Department took the missing person report involving Kraft who was 12 years old that day. Kraft’s parents reported that Steven was out walking his two dogs between the hours of 7 and 8pm on February 15, 2001 and failed to return home for dinner.
Kraft was last seen in the 2100 block of Holly near his residence in Benton Township. In the days following the initial report of Steven missing, a ground search overseen by the police department including both law enforcement and citizens was conducted as well as an air search with the use of a helicopter in the area near Steven’s disappearance. Kraft’s two dogs had been located days after his disappearance.
Investigators have received hundreds of tips over the year and conducted numerous interviews on the case. The Benton Charter Township Police Department continues to receive tips and information about Kraft’s disappearance which are investigated. With the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the department continues to investigate the disappearance of Steven Earl Kraft, Jr.
To this date, Kraft has not been located and remains listed as a missing person. The Benton Charter Township Police Department has established a Steven Kraft, Jr. tip line which can be accessed by calling the non-emergency phone numbers to the police department at 269-925-1135 or 269-926-8221. Information can also be reported to the police department through the general information lines or by contacting Crime Stoppers at 574-288-STOP (7867).
The photo of the missing person flyer shows age-progressed imagery to the age of 25 years. The investigation is also documented with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
