Full Name: Vilate Kerreen Young

Alternative Name:

Case Status: Missing

Record ID#: 0260

*The names “Jane Doe”  and “John Doe” are English names used when the person’s true name is not known. If used above, the name refers to a person of unknown identity.

Date of Birth*: Estimated April 1955
Birthplace: Monteview, Idaho, United States
Age at the Time: 15 Months (1 Yr old)
Age Group: Infant
Biological Sex: Female
Hair: Strawberry Blonde, Curly Hair
Eyes:
Skin Complexion:
Shoe Size:
Ethnicity: Caucasian or White
Nationality: United States
Languages Spoken: English

*If the date says January 1, this is often just a placeholder for an unknown specific date. It usually means “sometime that year”.

Physical Build:

Height:

Weight

Distinguishing Marks:

Medical Condition:
Physical Abnormality:
Dental Condition:
Scars & Other Marks:
Piercings:
Tattoos:

Other Descriptors:

Clothing

• Either a light cotton dress or a red and white checkered nylon dress
• Sandals

Possessions:

• Teddy Bear (located)

Date of the Disappearance*: July 4, 1956

Description: Vilate Kerreen Young, a 15-month-old toddler, disappeared on July 4, 1956, during a large family Fourth of July picnic and celebration at the Newel (or Newell) Steed Ranch near Widtsoe, Utah (close to Bryce Canyon in Garfield County). Her family had traveled from their home in Monteview, Idaho, to attend the gathering at the ranch owned by Vilate’s maternal grandfather.

While several family members were churning ice cream near one of the ranch’s outbuildings, Vilate wandered away. She was carrying a teddy bear, which was later found near the spot where she was last seen. A young cousin reportedly told others, “Vilate has gone up the hill and won’t come back.” An extensive search followed, involving hundreds of people on foot and horseback, bloodhounds, and airplanes over the rugged, remote terrain of the Escalante Mountains foothills. Despite 10 days of intensive efforts, no trace of Vilate was found, leading authorities to conclude she was likely abducted rather than lost or killed by wildlife. The sheriff stated they believed the child was no longer in the area. The case remains unsolved and is classified as a cold case, with kidnapping as the primary theory.

Multiple Victims?: No

Rumored or Actual Sightings:

*If the date says January 1, this is often just a placeholder for an unknown specific date. It usually means “sometime that year”.

Date the Body was Recovered:

Description: Unknown

Time of Death:

Cause of Death:

Recovered Remains (if partial):

Suspected Homicide?: No

Multiple Victims?: No

DNA Tested (No Match):

*If the date says January 1, this is often just a placeholder for an unknown specific date. It usually means “sometime that year”.

Description:

License Plate:

Description: