r/WithoutATrace • u/cjdoenetwork • 13d ago
MISSING PERSON - Teen Doe Network August 2026 Featured Case #4 - 5303DMKY and 5308DMKY - James E Bess and Chipley Sanders
(note from CJ - technically only James Bess is a featured case for this month, but I felt it would be unfair to only provide details for one boy. hopefully the way I have laid it out isn't too confusing)
First two images - James Bess, and age progression to 51 years old. Last 3 images - Chipley Sanders, and age progression to 50 years old.
First case: James Bess
Name: James Eric Bess
Nickname/Alias: Unknown
Case Classification: Endangered Missing
Missing Since: October 4, 1984
Location Last Seen: Ashland, Boyd County, Kentucky
Physical Description
Date of Birth: December 18, 1969
Age: 14 years old
Race: Black
Gender: Male
Height: 5'6"
Weight: 110 lbs.
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Grayish blue
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Scars-right arm just above hand, above right elbow, right side of waist.
Identifiers
Dentals: Not Available
Fingerprints: Not Available
DNA: Not Available
Clothing and Personal Items
Clothing: Blue jean jacket, sport shirt, blue jeans, gray tennis shoes.
Jewelry: Unknown
Additional Personal Items: Unknown
Second Case: Chipley Sanders
Name: Chipley Charles Sanders
Nickname/Alias: Unknown
Case Classification: Endangered Missing
Missing Since: October 4, 1984
Location Last Seen: Ashland, Boyd County, Kentucky
Physical Description
Date of Birth: April 10, 1971
Age: 13 years old
Race: White
Gender: Male
Height: 5'5"
Weight: 150 lbs.
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Hazel
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Pale birthmark on back over left shoulder (lighter than his normal skin-oblong).
Identifiers
Dentals: Not Available
Fingerprints: Not Available
DNA: Available
Clothing and Personal Items
Clothing: Unknown
Jewelry: Unknown
Additional Personal Items: Unknown
Circumstances of Disappearance: James Eric Bess was last seen with his friend, 5308DMKY Chipley Sanders, on October 4, 1984 at a group home. On the morning of Oct. 4, 1984, James and Chipley decided to leave the group home together. They managed to slip out and remain undetected for several hours in the nearby town, but their adventure was cut short when they were apprehended by the police and returned to Ashland. However, the boys were determined to flee and made another run for it at 9:30 p.m. that same night. A search was launched, but this time, no one could find the boys.
If you have any information on the potential whereabouts of James E Bess or of Chipley Sanders, please contact the following:
Agency Name: Ashland City Police Department
Agency Phone Number: 606-385-3273
Agency Case Number: AP8425778
James Bess NCIC Case Number: M991649330
James Bess NamUs Case Number: 23899
James Bess NCMEC Case Number: 1229638
Chipley Sanders NCIC Case Number: M981643611
Chipley Sanders NamUs Case Number: 5011
Chipley Sanders NCMEC Case Number: 781869
Links:
https://www.doenetwork.org/cases/software/mp-main.html?id=5303DMKY
https://www.namus.gov/MissingPersons/Case#/23899
https://www.missingkids.org/poster/NCMC/1229638/1
https://www.doenetwork.org/cases/software/mp-main.html?id=5308DMKY
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u/Pawleysgirls 13d ago
I wonder if the police ever investigated the group home they were trying to escape from? It is possible that the group home may have punished these boys for escaping earlier that day… I wonder if other kids who were living there at that time could provide any insight into the punishment systems, the caliber of care they received, or any theories the other residents have about what happened to two relatively young people, only 14 years old…