Name: Steven Earl Kraft II
Nickname: Stevie
Age: 12 years old
Last Seen: February 15, 2001
Location: Benton Harbor, Michigan
Status: Still missing
Case Information
12 year old Steven Kraft was last seen in Benton Harbor, Michigan on February 15, 2001. He disappeared while playing with his dogs in the 2100 block of Holly Drive.
Background
Steven Kraft was born on January 1, 1989. At the time of his disappearance, he was in the sixth grade and had just completed a five day suspension at Hull Elementary following an altercation with another student.
Described as quiet and well behaved, he lived with his family on a dead end street in Benton Harbor. In addition to his home in Michigan, Steven has ties to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Lexington, Kentucky.
Steven did not have a history of running away, and none of his personal belongings were missing from his bedroom.
Disappearance
On the evening of February 15, 2001, 12 year old Steven Kraft left home to walk his dogs. His mother was making dinner, and he was supposed to return by 8:00 pm.
Between 7:00 – 8:00 pm, Steven was last seen playing with his two dogs in the 2100 block of Holly Drive in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Steven didn’t return home for dinner as planned, and hasn’t been seen or heard from since.
After he failed to return home, his family began searching the neighborhood and making calls to neighbors. His mother reported him missing to the Benton Harbor Police Department at 1:00 am after being unable to find him.
Investigation
Due to Steven’s recent suspension from school, police initially thought he may have been hiding so he wouldn’t have to go back to school the following day.
Steven’s footprints led past an ice covered pond to Harbor Haven Ministries located at 2372 Irving street, about two blocks south of Steven’s home.
Temperatures in the area where Steven went missing were below zero on the day he disappeared, and remained cold for several days. He wasn’t wearing gloves or a hat, and could not have survived for long without shelter.
Three days after his disappearance, his older dog returned home and subsequently led his owners to a nearby pond, but no further clues as to Steven’s whereabouts were found. The following day his younger dog was found near Blue Creek, about a mile and half north of Steven’s home.
A few days after he was reported missing the FBI joined the investigation.
Investigators searched Blue Creek, as well as the pond behind Harbor Haven Ministries, but no additional clues as to Steven’s whereabouts were found.
A week after Steven went missing, police received a tip that he had been spotted in the Milwaukee area. FBI agents followed up on the possible lead but found nothing to substantiate the sighting.
In June of 2001 cadaver dogs were brought in to search the areas where Steven was last seen, but nothing was found.
The house where Steven lived was torn down in 2005; a local airport now takes up the space.
Steven’s father died in February of 2021, and his mother died in April 2021, both without ever knowing what happened to their son.
Whereabouts
The location of Steven Kraft, as well as the circumstances surrounding his disappearance remains unknown. His case is classified as endangered missing and remains unsolved.
Appearance
White male born on January 1, 1989 with brown hair and green eyes. At the time of his disappearance Steven stood 5’1 – 5’2 tall and weighed 95 – 100 pounds.
He has a small birthmark on the left side of his rib cage.
Clothing & Accessories:
Steven was last seen wearing a white, tan, and brown striped shirt, tan parachute pants, a purple and aqua Charlotte Hornets jacket, and black Lugz boots.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Steven Kraft please contact the Benton Harbor Police Department at (616) 926-8221, or the FBI St. Joseph Michigan Office at (313) 965-2323.
Resources & Further Information
Steven Earl Kraft Jr – NamUs
Missing Steven Kraft Jr – Facebook
Steven Earl Kraft II – The Charley Project
Media Links
Searching for Steven – FBI
Michigan Boy Steven Kraft Still Missing Nearly 18 Years After Disappearance – NBC News
Steven Kraft Jr Still Missing After 20 Years – 16 News Now
The Baffling Disappearance of Steven Earl Kraft – Vocal.Media
Boy Last Seen Walking Dogs in Michigan Neighborhood Still Missing 23 Years Later – Click on Detroit
Videos & Flyers
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