The person at the center of this case
Earnest Doss Cagle (age 2)
Missing Person · Open
75 years waiting · since 1950
Missing Person: Earnest Doss Cagle
Justice for Earnest Doss Cagle (age 2) — the trail went cold in 1950, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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evidence
Lead #1How did a 2-year-old exit an unlocked vehicle in the middle of the night without being heard or seen by anyone in the area?
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witness
Lead #2Were there any other patrons or staff at DeLay's Tavern who might have seen or heard anything unusual that night?
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location
Lead #3Why were the vehicle doors unlocked and windows open—was this typical for the family, or does this suggest foul play?
On August 27, 1950, 2-year-old Earnest Doss Cagle disappeared from his family's vehicle outside DeLay's Tavern in Buckhart, Illinois, while his parents were inside. The vehicle doors were unlocked and windows partially open when he was discovered missing at approximately 2:15 a.m. Despite extensive searches of nearby quarries, wooded areas, and fields by authorities and volunteers, no trace of the young boy has ever been found.
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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 #4Despite extensive searches of the quarry, wooded areas, and fields, no physical evidence or remains were ever recovered—what happened to the child?
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Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP157175. Missing person: Earnest Doss Cagle.
Last known contact: 1950-08-27 in Buckhart, Sangamon, IL. Circumstances: On August 26, 1950, 2‑year‑old Earnest Doss “Earnest Jr.” Cagle was last seen in the family’s vehicle outside DeLay’s Tavern in Buckhart, Sangamon County, Illinois.
His parents reported that they had periodically checked on him and his 1‑year‑old sibling while inside the tavern. At approximately 2:15 a.m., Earnest Jr.
was discovered missing. The vehicle doors were reportedly unlocked and the windows partially open.
Extensive searches were conducted by local authorities, volunteers, and aircraft. A nearby water‑filled quarry, wooded areas, and surrounding fields were examined, but no trace was found.
Earnest Jr. was described as small for his age, with curly blonde hair and blue eyes.
He was last seen wearing sandals, green overalls, a yellow shirt, and a red‑and‑tan Hopalong Cassidy jacket. No confirmed sightings or evidence have been located since his disappearance.
Demographics: 2 years, Male, White / Caucasian. Physical description: 2 ft 5 in, 19 lbs, hair: Blond/Strawberry, eyes: Blue.
Clothing and accessories: Clothing: At the time he disappeared, he was wearing sandals, green overalls, a yellow polo shirt, and a red and tan Hopalong Cassidy jacket.. Investigating agency: Sangamon County Sheriff's Office | SG26-10825.
Timeline of Events
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1950-08-26
Last seen in family vehicle
2-year-old Earnest Jr. Cagle last seen in the family's vehicle outside DeLay's Tavern in Buckhart. Parents periodically checked on him and his 1-year-old sibling while inside the tavern.
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1950-08-27
02:15Child discovered missing
At approximately 2:15 a.m., Earnest Jr. was discovered missing from the vehicle. Vehicle doors were unlocked and windows partially open.
Key Locations
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Case Information
Incident:August 26, 1950
Last Updated:June 11, 2026
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Phone: 2177536840
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Case Information
Incident:August 26, 1950
Last Updated:June 11, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 2177536840
You can remain anonymous