Right 2: Age-progressed by NCMEC to age 18 years; 22 years
Right 2: Age-progressed by NCMEC to age 18 years; 22 years
Name: Shanta Marie Johnson
Case Classification: Endangered Missing
Missing Since: July 19, 1992
Location Last Seen: Myrtle Beach, Horry County, South Carolina
Date of Birth: January 3, 1989
Age: 3 years old
Race: Black
Gender: Female
Height: 3'0"
Weight: 44 lbs
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Brown
Nickname/Alias: Shante Marie Reid
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Special needs
Dentals: Unknown
Fingerprints: Unknown
DNA: Unknown
Clothing: Navy blue shirt, white shorts, white tennis shoes with blue trim
Jewelry: Unknown
Additional Personal Items: Unknown
Shanta went missing on July 19, 1992. She was last seen by her foster mother inside a Kmart store at around 3:30 p.m. near North Myrtle Beach, where they were visiting from Cumberland County, North Carolina. A review of store surveillance tapes, however, showed the woman entering the store alone. There was no evidence that Shanta had ever entered or visited the store.
Shanta, formerly Shante Reid, was born to a mother addicted to drugs. Shanta tested positive for cocaine at birth. She had her younger brother, who also tested positive for cocaine at birth, were living with the same foster parents. The foster parents had begun adoption proceeding for the siblings three months prior to Shanta's disappearance. The day after Shanta was reported missing, her brother was removed from the foster parent's home. Another family later adopted him.
Two months prior to her disappearance, a doctor examined and pronounced her in excellent health. A month later, Shanta was seen by doctors at Duke University Medical Center for health problems associated with her birth. According to the records, the doctors at Duke noticed physical and mental changes with the child, including bruises, scratches, shyness, and fear when previously she had appeared extroverted. Shanta had bitten some of her fingernails so severely that her fingertips bled. A follow-up appointment was scheduled but Shanta's foster mother cancelled it and Shanta disappeared before further evaluations could be made.
In 1995, Shanta's foster mother was charged with felony child abuse. Additionally, property the foster parents owned near Watha in Pender County was searched. A specially trained police dog alerted investigators to an area near the road where it smelled human remains. No body was found, but investigators think Shante could have been buried there first then moved to an unknown site.
Foul play is suspected in Shanta's disappearance. No other charges have been filed against her former foster parents. FBI and Horry County investigators suspect that Shanta never entered South Carolina.
Agency Name: Cumberland County Sheriff's Office
Agency Contact Person: Sgt. Kimberly Gagnon
Agency Phone Number: 910-321-6592
Agency E-Mail: ccsodetectives(at)ccsonc.org
Agency Case Number: 9224486
Agency Name: Horry County Police Department
Agency Contact Person: Det. Ken Marcus
Agency Phone Number: 843-915-5350
Agency E-Mail: crimetips(at)horrycounty.org
Agency Case Number: 9224486
NCIC Case Number: M780890095
NamUs Case Number: 6228
NCMEC Case Number: 776350
NamUs
The Charlotte Observer - Jul. 22, 1992
Star-News (Wilmington, NC) - Jul. 27, 1995 & Jul. 3, 1997
The Miami Herald - Oct. 3, 2002
Added: 2008; Last Updated: 4/10/22 - By: Doe-NamUs-App
Questions or comments? Please contact appropriate member of the Area Team
** Listed information is from the time of disappearance.
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