The information on Vanessa Dawn Smith comes from the Charley Project.

Vanessa Dawn Smith was 15 years old when she went missing on her daily walk in Winton, California on May 31, 1997. Vanessa went for her walk alone in the rural area of Winton Way and Mercedes Ave along an almond orchard. She never came home and her walking stick was found along the usual path she walked. Police believe she may have been taken by someone she knew.

At the time Vanessa Dawn Smith was part of the Mennonite Church and was described as 5 feet 6 inches tall and 130 pounds. She is a white female with freckles & strawberry blond hair & blue eyes. She has Duane’s syndrome and her retina in her right eye is paralyzed and drifts towards the left side. She also has a large birthmark from her shoulder to elbow on her right arm and a scar on her left ear.

On the day that Vanessa Smith went missing she was wearing a light blue dress with an elastic waist, a white belt and white huarache sandals. She was also wearing a black head cover.

Police do not believe she ran away and she had no history of running away. She also left behind her personal belongings including her purse and a treasured watch.

If you have any information on the disappearance of Vanessa Smith call the Merced Sheriff’s Department at 209-385-7444.