The person at the center of this case
Asha Jaquilla Degree
Missing Person · Open
26 years waiting · since 2000
ASHA JAQUILLA DEGREE
Justice for Asha Jaquilla Degree — the trail went cold in 2000, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
⏰
timeline
Lead #1Why was a 9-year-old child walking alone on Highway 18 at 4:00 am, and did she leave voluntarily or was she taken?
🔍
evidence
Lead #2What does the condition and location of the buried book bag reveal about what happened to Asha after she was spotted on the highway?
👁️
witness
Lead #3Who were the drivers who saw Asha on Highway 18, and did they provide detailed descriptions of her condition or behavior?
Asha Jaquilla Degree, a 9-year-old girl, disappeared from her home in Shelby, North Carolina on February 14, 2000, after being spotted walking along Highway 18 at 4:00 am—just hours after her family last saw her asleep in bed. Her book bag was discovered buried along the same highway in Burke County more than a year later, raising critical questions about what happened during those missing hours. The case remains unsolved after more than two decades, with the FBI offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
Case
#265
FBI Charlotte, Cleveland County Sheriff's Office, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
💡
clue
Lead #4Were there any vehicles of interest reported near Highway 18 during the early morning hours of February 14, 2000?
👤
person
Lead #5Did Asha have any contact with anyone in the hours before she disappeared, or was there any indication she planned to leave her home?
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Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
February 14, 2000 Shelby, North Carolina Asha Jaquilla Degree has been missing from her home in Shelby, North Carolina, since February 14, 2000. Family members last saw her asleep in her bedroom at approximately 2:30 am.
At 4:00 am, she was seen by drivers walking along North Carolina Highway 18 in Shelby, North Carolina. She was reported missing by her parents by 6:30 am.
More than a year later, Asha's book bag was discovered buried along North Carolina 18 in Burke County. FBI Charlotte is investigating in partnership with the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.
Timeline of Events
👁️
2000-02-14
02:30Last seen asleep in bedroom
Family members last saw Asha asleep in her bedroom at approximately 2:30 am
👥
2000-02-14
04:00Spotted walking on Highway 18
Asha was seen by drivers walking along North Carolina Highway 18 in Shelby, North Carolina
👤
2000-02-14
06:30Reported missing
Asha was reported missing by her parents by 6:30 am
📋
2001-02-14
Book bag discovered
More than a year later, Asha's book bag was discovered buried along North Carolina 18 in Burke County
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:February 14, 2000 at 2:30 AM
Last Updated:September 10, 2026
Up to $50,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case
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Case Information
Incident:February 14, 2000 at 2:30 AM
Last Updated:September 10, 2026
Up to $50,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case