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 #1Vehicle doors were unlocked and windows partially open—was the child able to exit on his own, or did someone remove him?
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location
Lead #2Why were the parents leaving a 2-year-old and 1-year-old unattended in an unlocked vehicle at a tavern late at night?
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clue
Lead #3No trace found despite extensive searches of quarry and surrounding areas—where could a small 2-year-old have gone in the dark?
On August 27, 1950, 2-year-old Earnest Doss Cagle disappeared from his family's vehicle parked outside DeLay's Tavern in Buckhart, Illinois, while his parents were inside. The unlocked vehicle and partially open windows suggested he may have wandered away, but extensive searches of nearby quarries, woods, and fields found no trace of the small blonde boy. Over 70 years later, his fate remains unknown and investigators continue to seek any information about his disappearance.
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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.
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witness
Lead #4Were there any other patrons or witnesses at DeLay's Tavern who may have seen activity around the vehicle that night?
Have information about any of these leads?
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
Earnest Jr. last seen in family vehicle
2-year-old Earnest Doss Cagle was last seen in the family's vehicle outside DeLay's Tavern in Buckhart while parents were 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. Doors were unlocked and windows partially open.
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1950-08-27
Extensive search operations begin
Local authorities, volunteers, and aircraft conducted extensive searches of nearby water-filled quarry, wooded areas, and surrounding fields with no results
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:August 26, 1950
Last Updated:June 5, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 2177536840
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Case Information
Incident:August 26, 1950
Last Updated:June 5, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 2177536840
You can remain anonymous